WESTERN LIVING, March2018

WESTERN LIVING // MARCH 2018

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12+ Kitchens We Love The Designer Secrets Behind a Dozen Stunning Rooms

Florence’s Bellissimo Indie Design Scene

PLUS Crave-Worthy Noodle Recipes from Around the Globe

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THE PERFECT COOKTOP. DESIGNED BY YOU. When is a cooktop more than a cooktop? When it’s part of a customized space designed to meet your culinary needs. Choose between a single or double gas THE PERFECT COOKTOP. burner, a chrome-infused gridYOU. dle, an induction wok, or an induction cooktop.

DESIGNED BY THE PERFECT COOKTOP. DESIGNED YOU. When than a cooktop? part of ahood customized space And wiisthathecooktop optionmore ofBY downdraft ventilatiWhen on, noit’soverhead is necessary. designed to meet your culinary needs. Choose between a single or double gas When is a cooktop more than a cooktop? When it’s part of a customized space burner, a chrome-infused griddle, an induction wok, or an induction cooktop. designed to meet your culinary needs. Choose between a single or double gas And with the option of downdraft ventilation, no overhead hood is necessary. burner, a chrome-infused griddle, an induction wok, or an induction cooktop.

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Hello 2018,

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• Botanicals are breaking big, covering walls, furniture, and more.

Maximalism: more is more!

Make way for the luxury and elegance of violets and lavenders — Pantone named “Ultra Violet” as the color of the year. Try it in a single chair — or paint the town.

• Geometrics are both retro and reinvigorating, with circles coming on especially strong.

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• New kitchens move from white-on-white to color, with blue and green cabinetry taking center stage.

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Cover: Joshua Lawrence. This page: Barry Calhoun.

Heat in the Kitchen This elegant white-onwhite kitchen from Kelly Deck Design is just one of a dozen inspiring spaces we’re featuring starting on page 46.

M A R C H 2 018 B .C . & A L B E R TA // V O LU M E 4 7 // N U M B E R 2

THE KITCHENS ISSUE 46 // Lesson Plans

A dozen gorgeous kitchens are more than just pretty pictures: they’re full of smart design concepts to make the heart of the home just the right fit.

62 // Play House

A challenging waterfront site on Victoria’s Cadboro Bay is tamed for a Scandinavianinfluenced house built to withstand an active family of five. westernliving.ca / m a r c h

2 0 1 8 1 9

WL // contents

design 29 // One to Watch

Studio Corelam turns a custom material into striking furniture designs.

30 // Shopping

Stunning dining tables, mohair lounge chairs and more furniture and accessories we love.

34 // Openings

An elite jeweller comes to Vancouver, plus other hot new rooms in the West.

36 // Great Spaces

A Calgary ballet studio mixes girliness with grit thanks to designer Aly Velji.

38 // Appliances We Love

Cutting-edge kitchen appliances to enhance all of your culinary pursuits.

79

food 76 // Bites

30

Tips from top chefs, buzz-worthy new restaurants and gadgets galore.

79 // Oodles of Noodles

travel 90 // Getaway Guide

36

Whitefish, Montana, may just be the most charming ski destination south of the 49th.

92 // Renaissance Redux

Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, is once again sparking that creative spirit with a new generation of artisans.

92 2 0 m a r c h 2 0 1 8 / westernliving.ca

plus 98 // Trade Secrets

Designer Jenna Josephson brings a modern touch to a 100-year-old Vancouver home.

Pho: Kyoko Fierro; Florence: Alex Berger; ballet studio: Joel Klassen

From soba to pho to cacio e pepe, we’re celebrating a world of noodle dishes.

WESTERN LIVING GENERAL MANAGER | PUBLISHER Dee Dhaliwal EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Anicka Quin EXECUTIVE EDITOR Stacey McLachlan TRAVEL EDITOR Neal McLennan ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Jenny Reed ASSOCIATE EDITOR Julia Dilworth ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Natalie Gagnon ONLINE EDITOR Kaitlyn Funk CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Amanda Ross, Nicole Sjöstedt, Barb Sligl, Jim Sutherland, Julie Van Rosendaal CITY EDITORS Karen Ashbee (Calgary), Jyllian Park (Edmonton), Rosemary Poole (Victoria) EDITORIAL INTERNS Alyssa Hirose, Jessica Palacio, Allie Turner EMAIL mail@westernliving.ca

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NATIONAL MEDIA SALES REPRESENTATION, MEDIATIVE SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER, NATIONAL SALES Ian Lederer TEL 416-626-4258 EMAIL ian.lederer@mediative.com

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RAW & SWAY COLLECTIONS BY HENRIK PEDERSEN

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WL // EDITOR’S NOTE

BEHIND THE MAGIC

Q& A This month we asked our contributors, What would you love in your dream kitchen?

Maansi Pandya, “Great Spaces,” page 36 My dream kitchen would be the perfect blend of stylish and functional. I’d love an all-white theme with lots of natural light. And I’d love a few pops of colour—including a bright vintage rug, playful light fixtures and colourful dinnerware.

Jo-Ann Richards, “Lesson Plans,” page 46 A gas stove is first on the list, but one simple thing I’ve wanted is a spring-loaded cabinet door that, when nudged with your knee, pops open and lifts the lid of the garbage can inside it—no pedals to step on or handle to grab when you’re all mucky.

Behind the Scenes Our online coordinator, Theresa Tran, had the tough gig of taste-testing a few of the noodle recipes in this month’s story, “Oodles of Noodles” (page 78), while lending her smile to the feature, too. Photographer Kyoko Fierro lined her up for the shot in Fierro’s Vancouver studio.

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ANICK A QUIN, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR ANICK A.QUIN@WESTERNLIVING.CA 2 4 M A R C H 2 0 1 8 / westernliving.ca

S E E S O U R C E S AT W E S T E R N L I V I N G .C A

Anicka Quin portrait: Evaan Kheraj; styling by Luisa Rino, makeup by Melanie Neufeld; outfit courtesy Holt Renfrew, holtrenfrew.com

Follow Anicka on Instagram @ANIQUA

It wasn’t until I moved in with roommates at university that I really learned to cook properly. Don’t get me wrong—as a kid, I was certainly tasked with peeling carrots and frying the ground beef for spaghetti, but it wasn’t until I was living with five other women (and simultaneously becoming a vegetarian) that I started picking up on the more subtle aspects of what creates a great meal: the balance of acid versus oil in a homemade salad dressing, the right ricotta for a perfect spinach lasagna, the difference between a diced carrot and a chopped one. (One roommate watched my preparation of the latter and told me her German grandmother would be horrified.

And she would have been correct.)

Over two decades later, I’m still collecting prep tips in my quest to become one of those cooks who makes it all look so effortless. (In a recent cooking class, for example, I learned from a Provençal chef that in the winter months, I should roast half of the garlic I put into a homemade aioli to avoid the rasp you get from older garlic that’s been sitting around since fall. Gold.) It’s always enlightening to learn how something amazing becomes amazing—and, while it is an art, it usually turns out that it isn’t magic—it’s a skill that can be learned, if you’re willing to put in the time and thinking. (Though some talent helps, too.)

Our spotlight on great kitchens this issue (“Lesson Plans,” page 46) is a little bit of the same concept: we’ve asked the designers featured here to each share one great tip that reveals why they made the decisions they did so we can pull back the curtain on the creation of each beautiful space. I hope these tips inspire you as much as they’ve inspired me: I certainly plan to try out a few of their ideas in my own kitchen at home. With luck, the next time my friends drop by, I’ll be putting my clever roastedgarlic trick into action in a space that’s equally smart, if not actually magic.

1706 WEST 1ST AVE ARMOURY DISTRICT VANCOUVER 604 683 1116 LIVINGSPACE.COM

WL // @WESTERNLIVING

LETTERS, ETC.

Tweet, message, ’gram or email (mail@westernliving.ca)— we love to hear from our readers!

SHOPPING Sneak Peek: Hermès Furniture and Decor

The luxury brand expands to homewares and furnishings with a new store back East (but don’t worry, there’s an online shop, too—and they deliver to Western Canada).

westernliving.ca/shopping

AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH Readers were more than a little envious of the blue-and-white kitchen (inspired by the homeowners’ Swedish heritage) in this luxe Whistler hideaway by designer Mitchell Freedland.

Wow, what a view!

HOMES

@KPCHOMES

Announcing Western Living’s 2017 Home of the Year!

We hosted our first-ever readers’ choice awards and after three weeks and more than 120,000 (!!!) votes, designer Paul Lavoie took home the trophy for this cool Calgary-meets-California design.

Congrats! westernliving.ca/homes

Guessing this place isn’t on Airbnb? @ROBWILK100

Gorgeous!! Love the colour.

WL AROUND TOWN

CHEF’S TIPS How to Make the Ultimate Buddha Bowl Photographer Phil Crozier flew all the way from Calgary to join us at Parq Vancouver’s D/6 bar and lounge for our annual contributors’ party, where we put him straight to work: he captured this (perfectly posed, with his help) shot of a few WL and VanMag team members.

From the grains to the dressing, contributing editor Julie Van Rosendaal shares her tips on how to make a delicious, Instagram-worthy Buddha bowl at home.

westernliving.ca/ food-and-wine

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Home of the Year: Phil Crozier; chair: Hermès; Whistler home: Ema Peter

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DESIGN

S H O P P I N G // T R E N D S // P E O P L E // S PA C E S // O P E N I N G S // I N T E L

ONE TO WATCH

Friends in Small Spaces Christian Blyt, Studio Corelam, Vancouver

Eydís Einarsdóttir

Christian Blyt, founder of Studio Corelam and a professor at Emily Carr University of Art and Design, is trying to lighten things up.

Through the use of his trademarked corrugated plywood material—“Corelam,” of course—the Vancouver industrial designer wants to craft small lightweight pieces that disrupt one’s expectations of what furniture can be. “For us, a large part of this is storytelling; it’s the process of doing more with less,” he explains.

In this case, less is right. His minimalist Tidal collection— including a lightweight coat rack, a leaning shelf and a multifunctional stool—are all easy to move and built with “functionality and sustainability at the forefront,” says Blyt. “The goal is to find solutions that feel like they’ve always been there.”—Vincent Plana

Round and Round Blyt assembles a Round A Bout 2.0 stool, which he designed to pack flat for easy storage.

westernliving.ca / M A R C H

2018 29

WLDESIGN // SHOPPING

Anicka’s Pick

Samsung Serif 40" TV

$1,199, available at EQ3, eq3.com When my parents finally gave up their vintage ’80s console TV, it took a good half-dozen people to move it to the curb. Though they’re both freestanding screens, their TV wasn’t nearly as pretty as EQ3’s update on the stand-alone television: the Samsung Serif is designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, and it features a fabric-covered back and attachable legs. And though it’s sturdy and stable on its angled base, it can be easily moved to the perfect spot to take in Claire Foy’s killer queenly accent in The Crown.

For more of Anicka’s picks, visit westernliving.ca

Quick-Change Artist

Driade’s Anapo series of tables (dining table pictured, from $2,063) features various shapes, sizes and materials, skewing industrial, modern or even retro, depending on the surroundings. grshop.com, lebellearti.com

NOTEWORTHY New in stores across the West

BY ROSEMARY POOLE

Fair Clay

CB2’s Siena and Empoli vases ($129 and $189) are made in Tuscany using a glazing technique that layers on geometric forms; a brown-toned patina is applied post-firing to give the pieces an antiqued appearance. cb2.ca

Fit to Print

Gluckstein Home pays homage to the late American artist Ellsworth Kelly with a series of graphic giclée prints ($349) that come framed in birch. thebay.com

3 0 M A R C H 2 0 1 8 / westernliving.ca

True North

From Hornvarefabrikken, a Danish arts and crafts company established in 1935, comes a collection of timeless horn candle holders (from $29) that stand out from prevailing stone accessories. mavenandgrace.com

Puglia, Italy

MON-WED & FRI 10 - 7 | THURS 10 - 9 | SAT 10 - 6 | SUN 11 - 6 1275 W 6 AVE VANCOUVER | 604.730.1275 | INSPIRATIONFURNITURE.CA

6

WLDESIGN // SHOPPING

Deep Modern

Based on the personal archives of influential photographer Julius Shulman, Modernism Rediscovered (Taschen, $26) features more than 200 images of lesser-known examples of modernist architecture and interiors across the U.S. indigo.ca

Memphis Moment

Now carried at Winnipeg’s Hut K, ZigZagZurich’s spring collection includes cotton-jacquard blankets by Coops DPS Europa (from $198), a collaboration with Memphis Group founding members Nathalie Du Pasquier and George Sowden. hutk.ca

Modern Classic

Following the trend toward plush upholstery, Herman Miller’s iconic lounge chair and ottoman (from $6,200) is now available in 30 shades of mohair. informinteriors.com, kitinteriorobjects.com

Perfect Fit

The new Eldon tub by Victoria and Albert (price on request) combines the look of a free-standing tub with a backto-the-wall installation that’s ideal for small spaces. vshl.ca

3 2 M A R C H 2 0 1 8 / westernliving.ca

Treasure Chest

Menu’s jewellery box ($168) eschews the typical cubic form in favour of a slim, curved oblong as elegant as the pieces we’d like to stow in it. vanspecial.com, dwellmodern.ca

Architecturally inspired yet ultimately functional, this remarkable collection makes home a destination at a price you’ll love.

RICHMOND | COQUITLAM | LANGFORD

JORDANSHOME.CA

WLDESIGN // shopping

For more hot picks, visit westernliving.ca/shopping

OPENINGS Hot new rooms we love

Over the Moon

Jasper Morrison’s Superloon floor lamp for Flos (from $5,995) sends dimmable light across its paper-thin surface while a gyroscopic axis allows for ambient or reading light. livingspace.com

BY ALYssA hIROsE

VANCOUVER Van Cleef and Arpels Handmade ruby rings, pearl pendants and white gold watches give this French luxury jeweller an extra edge: a single piece of jewellery can take more than 1,000 hours to craft. Trimmed with gold drapes and Murano chandeliers, this 4,000-square-foot boutique is the store’s first location in Western Canada. 1069 Alberni St., vancleefarpels.com

Up, Up and Away

Available in black, red, white and birch, with an oversized carrying handle and a deep tray-like surface, Ikea’s new Burvik side table ($40) is designed with movement in mind. ikea.ca

Tapered Look

Designed for groupings on trays and available in statement shades or neutrals, Ester and Erik candles (two heights, $12.50 to $15.50) shed light on grey early-spring days. walrushome.com

CALGARY Saks Fifth Avenue At 115,000 square feet, this New York-born specialty retailer is moving into Calgary in a big way—and into Chinook Centre’s old Target space, no less. The store will feature exclusive designer wares like Gianvito Rossi, Ex Nihilo and Chantecaille. Tired of the mall mobs? Register for the Fifth Avenue Club and gain access to private shopping suites. Also, check out the soon-to-launch salon, spa and restaurant: this is a onestop browse, blowout and brunch destination.

6455 Macleod Trail, saksfifthavenue.com

3 4 m a r c h 2 0 1 8 / westernliving.ca

VICTORIA Fjällräven This downtown store combines the clean lines of Scandinavian design with the wood accents of mountain-rustic decor, echoing the brand’s versatile and sustainably produced outerwear and backpacks.

Fjällräven’s in-store brand ambassadors are experts on local outdoor activities (Mount Douglas hike, anyone?), and their on-site tailor does customizations and repairs for your next alpine or urban adventure.

1327 Government St., fjallraven canada.com

BA K E R

D EL L ARO B B I A

A L I VA R

L E E

A R K E T I P O

M

S A B A

S A N G I A C O M O

G A M M A

C

G U I R E

EXCEPTIONAL INDOOR & OUTDOOR FURNISHINGS

Furniture Showrooms: 1855/1880 Fir Street Armoury District Vancouver 604.736.8822 Mon - Sat 10 -5:30 pm broughaminteriors.com

WLDESIGN // great spaces

RAISING THE BARRE Though ballet is traditionally a little, well, traditional, the second location of ballet-inspired fitness studio Barre Belle takes a more punk-rock approach. “Think of it as ballet with a bit of an edge,” explains Calgary-based designer Aly Velji, who decked out the space with a look he and senior designer Katie Mooney coined “Nuevo Neon.”

“The first location was pretty feminine and had a lot of floral,” says Velji. “For this studio, we wanted to create the same vibe but make it edgier by using neon accents.” To get that gritty-yet-feminine look, Velji pulled inspiration from the mural behind the front desk—a custom neon replica of the classic Degas painting The Star, created by wallpaper design firm Rollout. The mural sets the tone for the rest of the space, from the drinking station’s electric-yellow dresser and brass faucets to the custom hot-pink wall hooks and patterned throw pillows; each hit of colour pops against a backdrop of white marble chevron tiles and white walls. For the mouldings, Velji took the traditional treatment and gave it a twist: arranged in sharp angles and painted black, “it’s a classic touch done in a modern way,” he says.

Because Barre Belle is a high-traffic space, durability was key, which is why Velji added polished concrete to the floor in the entranceway. The main studio floor, meanwhile, is given a warm vinyl finish in a classic herringbone pattern. It’s the ideal place to dance, stretch and sweat in style—tradition be damned. —Maansi Pandya

MORE INSPIRING SPACES Find more great rooms to inspire at westernliving.ca 3 6 m a r c h 2 0 1 8 / westernliving.ca

Joel Klassen

A Calgary ballet studio dances to its own beat.

best ne w pl ay 2016 tony award winner

The

Wall to Wall

Vancouver wallpaper designers Rollout created a neon replica of a classic Degas painting specifically for this project. rollout.ca

“Funny, mournful, richly detailed and deeply humane”

Humans the guardian

by Stephen Karam

On the Edge

Velji had the mouldings painted black to give the white walls a graphic touch.

March 6 to 31 Arts Commons Max Bell Theatre

Tickets start at $35

403-294-7447 theatrecalgary.com #tcTheHumans

P H O T O B Y D AV I D C O O P E R

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2018-02-07 3:40 PM

The Western Living e-newsletter brings you inspired home and entertaining ideas three times a week, including: • Exclusive home tours • Design advice from the pros • Wine picks • Fabulous events • Must-try dishes from our Recipe Finder PLUS entertaining tips, fantastic contests, getaway guides, cooking tips, and everything else you need to know to live life well in the West.

WLDESIGN // APPLIANCES WE LOVE

BY BARB SLIGL

SUPER MODELS

There’s a certain sleek, catwalk-worthy style to the latest appliances.

All In

Bosch’s new Home Connect 800 series brings together all the key kitchen elements, including its signature builtin stainless steel coffee system ($4,000). Skinny lattes, frothy cappuccinos or restrained ristrettos can all be brewed from a touch screen—anywhere in the home. bosch-home.ca

Hot Stuff

Part of a new collection from Jenn-Air, this induction wok module cooktop ($3,299) has a flush-to-counter concave design that cradles a round-bottomed wok. With 3,600-watts of high-tech induction power, it’s like that singular accessory that adds oomph to a tailored outfit. jennair.ca

Fresh Faced

There’s a new look for one of the classics.

The 36-inch Wolf contemporary gas cooktop ($3,999) sits flush to the countertop with control knobs that mount on the cabinet panel you choose, and there are seamless porcelain coated cast-iron grates that let you slide pots and pans to and fro. Of course, those iconic red knobs are always an option. subzero-wolf.com

DESIGNER’S PICK

Under Wraps

KitchenAid’s fully integrated dishwasher with “pocket handle” ($1,699) takes on whatever style you want. The black stainless steel (smudge-proof) finish and minimalist design blend in with barely a whisper (it’s also one of the quietest models at 39 decibels)—but if you want a closer look, a front display panel reveals its hidden underpinnings and controls. kitchenaid.ca

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Nyla Free

NYLA FREE, PRINCIPAL OF CALGARY-BASED NYLA FREE DESIGNS, WILL BE PARTNERING WITH WL AT IDS VANCOUVER THIS YEAR. (STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS!)

SMART HEAT “With the largest fully usable cooking surface, Thermador’s Masterpiece series Freedom induction cooktop is my go-to suggestion to clients looking for high performance, precision and power. I love its minimal design and touch controls. It’s smart, too!

If you need to move a pot to another area of the cooktop, it will transfer the programmed settings to the new position of the pan.” thermador.ca

Quality. Beauty. Durability. Only from Adera

New Modern

The pro dual-fuel steam range ($20,785), a showstopper in Dacor’s new Modernist collection, melds high function with haute form. It’s a choreography among wifi -enabled touchscreen tech (the panel tilts out and knobs illuminate), big flexing BTUs, and graphite-stainless steel gleam (with stainless steel insides that match in lustre). dacor.com

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WesternLiving.ca Ice, Ice, Baby

For bartenders in the know, the right ice can make or break a drink.

Now Dacor’s column freezer ($10,960) brings that crafty cocktail ice home. Its dual icemaker provides an always-ready supply of larger, clearer ice (minimal dilution and maximal “cool” factor), as well as standard-sized chunks. dacor.com

Daily stories that connect you to the best of Western Canadian designs.

Fresh, local topics that keep you in the know. Plus the Western Living Recipe Finder, with hundreds of our best recipes that you’ve come to expect from Western Canada’s lifestyle source—as gorgeous on your phone as it is on desktop.

But that’s just the beginning.

See more at WesternLiving.ca.

The West lives here. Daily.

Photo credit Ema Peter Photography/Mason Bowenshire Landscaping

THE REAL THING

SPONSORED REPORT

SMALL SPACE, BIG IMPACT California Closets demonstrates how to yield maximum results and design-forward living in Vancouver’s smallest spaces

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ndoubtedly, one of the most precious commodities in Vancouver real estate is space. With micro and mini becoming mainstays of Vancouverliving lexicon, maximizing every square inch of one’s home has never been more important.

Deirdre Milne loves her Yaletown townhome for the location, but was ready to update the now 18-year-old design of her main living space. Challenged by a long wall with a high ceiling in a narrow room, Milne wanted to ensure her space wasn’t taken over by a massive media unit.

Milne and her partner Lionel Tolan visited California Closets’ show room in Burnaby where they met with designer Sue Lashmore. As their consultation quickly evolved into a design meeting, both parties knew they were on the same page with the goal to create a modern, sleek and space-savvy design. After a few consultations, they were both ready to begin the transformation.

The installation was carried out meticulously. California Closets’ head installer engineer Tom Pacynski brought the design to life with his usual impeccable attention to detail. And once completed, Milne could not believe the result; “Every visitors’ first word on seeing our finished project is “Wow”!” she

Created by the Western Living advertising department in partnership with California Closets

said. The room is now a warm and inviting place for Milne to come home to or share with family and friends. The media unit displays Milne’s art pieces, manages to hide the TV in plain sight and balances out the narrow space. The colours connect to the kitchen and the high gloss black panel accentuates the room’s height while adding depth. The challenge of having no overhead lighting was overcome by adding ribbon lighting to lift the light in the room. LED puck lights on floating shelves showcase all of the items on display. The room now feels modern and functional while fitting seamlessly into the rest of her home.

Thanks to California Closets, Milne’s ‘great room’ concept has now become a ‘great room’ reality.

California Closets can transform any space to provide more functionality, storage and design.

Visit one of their showrooms today to see how they can make your renovation dreams a reality.

Sue Lashmore

604.320.6575 californiaclosets.ca/vancouver VANCOUVER 2421 Granville Street | BURNABY 5049 Still Creek Avenue

SPONSORED REPORT

GINGER JAR FURNITURE Indoors & Out

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Celebrating 39 years as a local, family owned and operated company, Ginger Jar Furniture is the North Shore’s largest showroom of modern luxury indoor and outdoor furnishings.

In their 20,000 square foot showroom, discover fashion forward European designs for your home, with brands like Rolf Benz, Gamma, Thayer Coggin, Cierre, Manutti, Gloster, Calligaris, Bontempi, Fiam, Lloyd Flanders, Draenert, Vondom, and Stressless.

They are also recognized for their contract services in designing show suites, hotel foyers and pool sides, lounges, and dining areas.

Also check out OMG it’s small by Ginger Jar, your destination for big style in small spaces; featuring multifunctional collections; trendy, fun accessories like Sid Dickens’ tiles and Fatboy beanbags; and amazing pendant lighting. Purchase from the showroom and take it home today or custom order your ‘perfect’ piece.

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1. FAZ by RAMONE ESTEVE: Daybed in resin with all-weather cushions from Spain.

Weatherproof system for day or night. Finish and fabric customizable. Also available with an outdoor sound system. Shown open and closed.

2. FOGLIA by CARLO BASSO: Chair and ottoman, made of aluminum and modern synthetic materials. Finish and fabric customizable. Suitable for wide spaces or major hotels in both classic and trendy environments.

3. KOBO by MANUTTI DESIGN STUDIO: This new spacious 1 and 3 seater sofa has deep seating for maximal comfort. Hand woven rope structure available in Silver and Anthracite. Personalize with colourful cushions.

4. HAMPTONS COLLECTION: Swivel lounge chair, as well as complete dining and living room concepts, in natural Lloyd Loom wicker. Made in USA. Available in 20 custom paint finishes and over 400 fabrics.

5. BIOPHILIA by ROSS LOVEGROVE: Dining chair, plus full living and dining room concepts that combines advanced rotational moulding technology and the latest in innovative contemporary design. Finish and fabric customizable.

Created by the Western Living advertising department in partnership with Ginger Jar Furniture

AND | design Fabio Novembre

exclusively at For more beautiful finds for your smaller spaces

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Small Spaces, Big Style WL Condo spotlights Vancouver’s most stylish small-scale spaces, from luxury penthouses in Coal Harbour to restored vintage townhouses in Mount Pleasant, and everywhere in between. You’ll also find hot furniture trends, space-saving tricks, designer advice and insider neighbourhood guides in every issue, helping readers make the most of city life.

PHOTO BY

Tracey Ayton

ADVERTISE WITH US!

HOMES

Photo: Lucas Finlay; styling: Nicole Sjöstedt

I N T E R I O R S // A R C H I T E C T U R E // D E S I G N // L I V I N G

Kitchens Made for Living

It’s true that a kitchen as gorgeous as this one doesn’t need to be behind closed doors—and thankfully in these open-concept times, it isn’t. But it’s thoughtfully designed to be part of the nearby living room, from the quiet shade of grey on the cabinets—a perfect match to the marbling on the counters—to the disguised hood vent, clad in MDF and lacquered white to virtually disappear. Which is what that toast will do the minute homeowner Linda Adrian’s dog, Cedric, gets his chance.

westernliving.ca / M A R C H

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LESSON PLANS WL LIVING // title

These 12 gorgeous kitchens are more than just pretty pictures: they’re full of smart design concepts to make the heart of the home just the right fit.

by stacey mclachlan, rosemary poole and anicka quin

Outside Dining A North Vancouver kitchen blends soft organics with clean-edge modernism 4perfectly.

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Artin Ahmadi

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WL HOMES // kitchens

Alive Design The living wall is fed by a timed waterline integrated into the ceiling—itself an organic addition with its warm millwork.

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The natural world, in the form of lush plants, cedar panelling and with contrasting oak cabinetry and flooring, balances the crisp lines of this North Vancouver home by Garret Werner, principal of Garret Cord Werner Architects and Interior Designers. “Our philosophy is always to embrace the land and its surroundings,” says Werner. “I believe design should be alive.” To wit: a living wall lit by a run of skylights above and fed by a timed waterline integrated into the ceiling.

Across the room, Infinity glass windows replace a traditional backsplash, supplying views of the side yard planted with cascading Poaceae; a greenhouse effect of an altogether different sort.

Artin Ahmadi

USE PLANT MATERIAL AS A FOIL FOR MODERN ARCHITECTURE.

It’s hard to believe this show-stopping mural was conceived as a replacement to the natural stone originally envisioned (and long delayed). Designer Negar Reihani of Space Harmony, who led the renovation of this waterfront condo in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour neighbourhood, sourced the large-format watercolour print from California’s Black Crow Studios. “We wanted to draw the outside in,” says Reihani, noting how the custom colourway complements the shades of sea and sky beyond. Overlaid with protective glass fabricated to eliminate obvious seams, it creates a mesmerizing, if serendipitous, feature.

Colin Perry

CONSIDER WALLPAPER IN PLACE OF A TRADITIONAL BACKSPLASH.

HIDE PREP SPACE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. It takes a minute, staring at this gorgeous black-and-white kitchen by designer Adam Becker, to realize something’s missing. Yes, there are sleek black Italian porcelain countertops and a dreamy Brand van Egmond chandelier, but where’s the toaster, the bottles of olive oil, the oven doors?

Slide the black aluminum panels to the side, though, and you’ll find all the necessary clutter that an everyday kitchen needs to function, including additional counter space, plenty of storage and a suite of high-powered Miele appliances. “I wanted to create something minimal and clean,” Becker explains. “A black-and-white canvas with straight lines and no obstruction—no one needs more distraction when they get home from work.”

Christopher Rollett

Straight Line Design Homeowner Shauna Jeffries pours herself a cup of coffee in her Modulnova Italy kitchen sourced from Room 8. A glittering Brand van Egmond chandelier adds a hint of opulence.

westernliving.ca / m a r c h

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WL HOMES // kitchens

USE MULTIPLE ISLANDS TO CREATE AN OPEN GALLEY KITCHEN. Fourteen years after designing this dramatic contemporary home in Calgary’s Elbow Park neighbourhood, James McIntyre and Ronald Bills of McIntyre Bills Interior Design were re-enlisted by the homeowners to update the main living areas to better reflect their lifestyle. The result: a spacious, highly functional galley kitchen with two 14-foot working islands and a coordinating 10-foot-long table with stools that can move easily between the two areas. “Rather than fight the kitchen party problem, we went with it,” says McIntyre. Streamlining materials is an important part of achieving this look: quartzite countertops in the working area were mitred down within the walnut wood so the three pieces look identical at a glance. With such an open, almost floating plan, McIntyre recommends incorporating a secondary prep space to avoid clutter, make space for small appliances and create additional storage. Here, an adjacent breakfast nook-meetsbutler’s pantry houses a second refrigerator, sink and dishwasher opposite banquette seating for quick meals or intimate gatherings.

“It’s not often you get a client who wants bold colour,” says designer Francesca Albertazzi of Rudy Winston Design, “so our goal was to develop the right one.” Albertazzi and her business partner, Emma Kelly, had gotten to know their client, Kaitlin Hargreaves, when the three of them worked together on Love It or List It Vancouver—Hargreaves, perhaps unsurprisingly, is a makeup artist and comes to her love of bold shades naturally. The design team worked with Merit Kitchens for a custom shade that’s a saturated dusty blue-grey, and they chose materials that would pair well with it. Case in point for the quartz-composite counters: the near-black veining creates a high-contrast, high-vibrancy look in the bold space.

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McIntyre Bills kitchen: Gary Campbell; Rudy Winston kitchen: Janis Nicolay

DON’T BE AFRAID OF COLOUR IN THE KITCHEN.

Barry Calhoun

Warmly White The whitewashed ceiling in the eating area (top right) “really set the tone of the palette in the house,” says designer Nicole Mah. In the main kitchen, seen here, that shows as warm whites on the perimeter and grey on the island.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO CHOOSE JUST ONE COUNTERTOP MATERIAL.

The homeowner behind this beautiful transitional kitchen was “really easygoing,” says designer Nicole Mah of Kelly Deck Design. “But she was very decisive on one thing—she wanted a butcher block on part of the island.” Mah had designed the space to be durable: with two young kids and a dog, the family needed a sturdy kitchen. The warm white cabinets and bulletproof quartz counters are hard-wearing, and the hand-scraped texture on the grey flooring is perfect for pets and less likely to show imperfections. But there was still room for some lived-in warmth, and wood, the chef’s favourite material, offers that as it wears over time. So Mah was happy to incorporate the butcher block into one-third of the island counter—proof that there’s no need to be limited to just one type of countertop. westernliving.ca / m a r c h

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USE SEAMLESS FLAT-FRONT CABINETRY TO ACHIEVE AN INTEGRATED, MINIMALIST AESTHETIC. 5 4 m a r c h 2 0 1 8 / westernliving.ca

There’s an effortless elegance to this newly remodelled kitchen in View Royal, B.C., by Andrea Rodman of Andrea Rodman Interiors. Details are kept spare and light with panel-ready appliances by Fisher and Paykel (“They are well priced but have a really nice high-end look and functionality,” says Rodman), and custom millwork and cabinetry, all by South Shore Cabinetry, is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Oxford White to match the rest of the open floor plan. Rodman kept views of the Calacatta marble-clad range area unobstructed by using recessed task lighting over the island, reserving statement lighting in the form of Gubi’s versatile Multi-Lite brass pendants for the dining area—they pair beautifully with the company’s new-classic Beetle stools upholstered in “fawn beige” velvet.

Joshua Lawrence

WL HOMES // kitchens

Before designer Andrea Finlay of Studio Finlay remodelled this Vancouver kitchen, the small space had a tiny island that just wasn’t the right fit—its size made the room feel even smaller. “It actually works well to have a stronger piece there rather than go small,” notes Finlay. Because the kitchen sits in an open-plan room, however, she employed a design trick to help the island feel more furniture-like: by bringing the marble counter down in bands on the side of the island, rather than have a full waterfall effect, it references the look of a table. “Instead of going delicate,” she says, “we went with a strong piece.”

Photo: Lucas Finlay; styling: Nicole Sjöstedt

SMALL KITCHENS DON’T NEED SMALL ISLANDS.

westernliving.ca / m a r c h

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WL HOMES // kitchens

KNOW THAT A KITCHEN IS MORE THAN JUST A PLACE TO COOK.

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Great Space The walnut millwork throughout is paired with white lacquered cabinets on the island and was installed by the homeowner himself.

Scott Massey

When architect Kori Chan of Proscenium Architecture and Interiors began working with his clients on designing their dream home, it was clear that the design of the space itself was far more important to them than flashy appliances or marble counters. So the budget went into creating an airy open-concept design, complete with 11-foot ceilings and Slung doors that open the room right out to the backyard. “When you have parties, people tend to congregate in the kitchen and eating area,” says Chan. “And here they can move up to the living room or outside to the porch, or outside to the grass—it’s really one big area.”

Phil Crozier

PERSONALIZE A CLASSIC ALL-WHITE KITCHEN. To complement the timeless features of this new kitchen in northwest Calgary (face-frame cabinetry, subway tile, natural stone countertops—check, check, check), designers Alanna Dunn and Reena Sotropa, both of Reena Sotropa In House Design Group, incorporated a fresh mix of singular elements. Among them: a range hood made locally by Hammersmith Custom Metal Crafting, based on a design by Sotropa, and a niche of open shelving to display a selection of the owner’s vast collection of pottery from Saskatchewan; the earthy hues connect subtly to the warmth of the grey-stained oak island. westernliving.ca / m a r c h

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WL HOMES // kitchens

Clear Thinking So much of this home’s design is intended to capture the view— right down to the glass elevator.

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For this modern beach house in Tsawwassen, B.C., architect Sandi Wiley of Frits de Vries Architects and Associates left the steel skeleton exposed to frame views of the long horizontal plane outside.

Structurally, this allowed large planes of glass to be taken up to the floating ceiling, giving the customstained western white birch panelling an unbroken, continuous appearance to the exterior soffits. “The ceiling is an unexplored plane for a lot of designers,” says Wiley, noting that it’s typically painted just white, and that’s that. “I think it’s exciting to inverse what’s typical.” The kitchen plays on a linear theme, with a white-on-white scheme of frameless cabinetry and large-format Ouadj Bianco porcelain tile, chosen so it, too, could continue to the outside. “The great thing about tile, especially in a home where you have that indoor-outdoor experience, is that it expands your space,” says Wiley. “It’s easy to bring tile inside and out—and much harder to do with wood flooring.”

Ema Peter

SELECT MATERIALS THAT CAN CARRY THROUGH TO THE OUTSIDE.

L I K E T H E M O S T G R A T I F Y I N G M E A L S, T H E S U B - Z E R O A N D W O L F S H O W R O O M A P P E A L S T O A L L O F T H E S E N S E S.

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bradleedistributors.com Calgary Showroom Richmond Showroom

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DON’T PUT STORAGE IN EVERY INCH. 6 0 m a r c h 2 0 1 8 / westernliving.ca

Believe it or not, there can be too much of a good thing, says designer Lindsey Zugelder of Rockwood Custom Homes. “To use every inch of your kitchen for storage isn’t necessary and can look messy,” she explains, “particularly if you have enough of it in other places.” For this spacious Calgary design, Zugelder included a rich brown metal accent pillar in a tight corner to add some visual interest in what could have been a dead zone. Of course, that sculptural quartzite island is a showstopper in its own right: Zugelder took inspiration from the home’s exterior to create the angular design.

Zoon Media

WL HOMES // kitchens

THIS KITCHEN WAS RENOVATED UNDER A PRE-APPROVED SET PRICE

R E N OVAT I O N AT A FIXED PRICE • Firm price prior to construction

SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY

• Renovator assumes responsibility to manage costs

CONSULTATION

• Design phase is completed prior to construction

604.432.7060

• Changes require a client approved change work order • Homeowner knows cost from beginning of project

GENUINE

R E N OVAT I O N

WL HOMES // cadboro bay

Style and Substance Great design pieces are featured throughout the home, including these comfy Togo seats and a pair of rare Winnipeg chairs, the latter designed by architect James Donahue and his students in the mid20th century.

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PLAY

HOUSE A challenging waterfront site on Cadboro Bay is tamed for a Scandinavian-influenced house built to withstand an active family of five.

by RosemaRy Poole // photographs by jo-ann RichaRds

westernliving.ca / m a r c h

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WL HOMES // cadboro bay

If

all houses are portraits, as the architect Annabelle Selldorf observed recently, consider this one a portrait of a West Coast lacrosse family. There’s the home gym, the outdoor practice space, the sunken hot tub, the locker room-style mud room—all set in a minimalist, modern, unmistakably coastal structure that can handle daily use by two amateur athletes, their parents, a younger brother and a black Labrador.

In fact, the home’s very existence is owed to the national sport.

Kari Ericksen and Tom Wilson were raising their family in Edmonton when their twin 16-year-old sons, Griffin and Skyler, were accepted into an elite lacrosse program at the Claremont Sports Institute for Excellence on Vancouver Island. A lengthy relocation process ensued, and after months of house hunting the couple learned of a waterfront site for sale on Cadboro Bay, an affluent area northeast of Victoria that was well located to the boys’ future school. The site had been subdivided from a neighbouring property and had sat on the market for three years, overgrown and accumulating cast-off junk. Despite its obvious appeal—unbroken views of a bay known for its ideal sailing conditions and private access to a sandy beach below—it would be a challenging project. “It must have scared people off,” says Ericksen.

For starters, the lot was narrow for the expansive 4,500-square-foot house and two-car garage the family envisioned. The

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Clean Contemporary In the dining room, an Iconoclast table from Edmonton’s Izm is paired with a sculptural 28a series chandelier from Vancouver-based Bocci, and surrounded by Hal chairs by Jasper Morrison for Vitra.

WL HOMES // cadboro bay

On the main floor, designer Chris Foyd balances practical needs with the couple’s desire for spare, modernist architecture.

Practical Magic The rift-cut white-oak millwork throughout the home was designed by Jason Good Custom Cabinets, a unifying palette in the home.

topography would also have to be reckoned with, as it dropped off sharply from street level to the shoreline.

And the timeline was tight. They needed the house ready in less than a year, in time for the start of the school year.

Undaunted, the couple purchased it sight unseen and began working on a plan with Chris Foyd, a Canadianeducated Danish registered architect and co-principal of 519 Design and Build. Foyd’s experience building modern homes locally and in Europe appealed to Ericksen’s Scandinavian background and minimalist sensibility.

Kimberly Bradley of Edmonton’s Murphy Stewart Design Associates was enlisted to work with Foyd on the interior

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design and to help keep everyone on schedule.

Foyd countered the site challenges with what he calls “a theme of screens.” The dramatic slope of the site was mitigated through the use of stepped transitions and architectural screening in various forms, including cedar fence panels laid in a horizontal orientation, giving a precise terraced look to the newly planted—and almost entirely edible—landscape, designed by local company Demitasse.

Inside, three floors are organized similarly around privacy and sightlines, with windows situated carefully to frame views of the yard and the bay.

Though the house feels open and continuous, each

SPONSORED REPORT The concept of hygge is all about embracing coziness; making the most of time with family and friends, staying in, and snuggling up. So grab your cozy socks, a good book, light your favourite scented candle, and curl up by the fireplace. Let’s embrace hygge and start enjoying the simple things in life.

H

ygge (hue-guh) is a Danish word that kindles a sense of coziness, comfort, and simplicity. Hygge gives importance to unwinding, creating a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, and enjoying time with loved ones. This is an up and coming design influence that is set to embrace the nation.

Here are some ways you can create your own hygge at home through lighting.

USE MULTIPLE LIGHT SOURCES Like dressing for winter, layering is key to achieving the best effect.

Use pendants, table lamps, floor lamps and sconces for dynamic lighting layers that provide contrast and creates a sense of mystery and coziness. Avoid using any direct or harsh lighting that causes discomfort when you are trying to create your hygge space.

choosing an LED product with a warm colour temperature, such as 2700K or 3000K, which are popular options that offer a nice warm glow.

There are also Edison style LED bulbs in 2400K, and incandescent bulbs that emit a warmer colour output when dimmed.

MAKE USE OF THOSE DIMMERS One of the easiest and more economical ways to create a cozy and warm space is using dimmers! Dim your lights to create an inviting and soothing ambience. In addition to wall dimmers, we have plug in dimmers for your table & floor lamps or a smart dimming system to control everything from your phone!

OPT FOR WARMER COLOUR TEMPERATURES If you are energy conscious but want to create your hygge oasis, try Created by the Western Living advertising department in partnership with Norburn Lighting

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WL HOMES // cadboro bay

Pop Life Kartell Spoon stools offer a colourful counterpoint to the bright white kitchen, with its Statuario marble counters (above). The den is the only enclosed room on the main floor, and offers a cozy spot to read and relax (bottom).

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level has a different intention. The lower level, accessed by a floating, under-lit staircase, is designed primarily for the twins. Two bedrooms and a combined home gym and media room overlook the water, and a simply finished bathroom is painted with chalkboard paint. “It will be interesting to see what goes up on there when the boys start throwing parties,” says Ericksen.

On the main floor, Foyd balances practical needs with the couple’s desire for spare, modernist architecture. At the front of the house, off the garage and side entrances, there’s a large mud room outfitted with simple cubbies to house all manner of gear for the boys and the dog, as well as an adjoining laundry room stationed to halt incoming sports gear at the door. Ericksen also carved out her own antemud room under the stairs leading up to the garage so she could store her own running and cycling gear separately— her “serenity in the chaos,” she calls it. “The rest of the mud room can look like a complete disaster zone. [The boys] will still pile their hoodies on the bench amongst the backpacks and leftover lunches. My little walk-in closet has a place for everything in its place. If I have time to go for a run or a ride,

space. multiplied.

Change the way you use your space with Tango, one of 100+ customizable solutions that make every square foot live up to its full potential. Designed and made in Italy by . Exclusively from Resource Furniture. Many items available for immediate delivery.

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WL HOMES // cadboro bay

Room with a View To maximize space in the modestly sized master bedroom, the storage bed was designed and built by Jason Good Custom Cabinets. A moveable panel in the headboard opens up a view to the ocean from the cast-iron tub on the other side of the wall.

I need to be out the door quickly and to do that I need to be able to find all my stuff quickly and easily.”

With the quotidian details sorted, Foyd turned his attention to the open great room that makes up the public area of the main floor. By limiting the finishes to rift-cut white oak, dramatically veined statuario marble and polished radiant-heated concrete flooring, he created a calm space that almost recedes into the views beyond. The only enclosed room on this level is the den, which was fitted with a gas fireplace and a wall of storage with pop-art coloured panels in orange and green to display Wilson’s collection of model cars.

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In the living area, deep orange Togo seating is paired with two rare Winnipeg chairs designed by architect James Donahue and his students in the mid-20th century, which Ericksen inherited from her grandmother and reupholstered. In fact, Canadian design features throughout the home: in the dining area, a rift-cut white oak Iconoclast table by Edmonton’s Izm sits below a sculptural 28a series chandelier by Vancouver’s Bocci. And, suspended in the front entrance, a custom-designed Bocci 28.11 series light—a constellation of green, orange, and clear colourless globes—is visible from the street.

For the top floor of the house, Foyd centred the open

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Experience creations from top chefs, mixologists and brew masters at our unique event benefiting extraordinary children. Delectable treats expertly prepared by:

HOSTED BY

Chef Dan Olson, Railtown Catering & Cafe I Chef Max Straczek, Fable Kitchen Chef Christophe Bonzon, Chez Christophe I Chef Jaroslaw Faryna, Copper Chimney Restaurant Chef Karan Suri, Fairmont Waterfront I Chef Karen McAthy, Blue Heron Cheese Chef Eleanor Chow Waterfall, Cadeaux Bakery I Chef Steve Fecho Chef Steven Courtney, Alpina Wine Bar I Mark Pennington, Cacao Barry I Steel & Oak Brewing Bridge Brewing Company I Julia Diakow, Sovereign Wine & Spirits I Katie Ingram, Bittered Sling

HOPE should not be as rare as the diseases we treat.

For tickets visit www.rarefinds.org

WL HOMES // cadboro bay

Boy Zone The lower level is designed primarily for the homeowners’ twin boys.

Chalkboard paint behind the desk offers space to rave about their primary passions: lacrosse and hockey.

landing in front of a double-height window overlooking the bay, and created a chasm, separating the master suite from the rest of the floor. To maximize space in the modestly sized master bedroom, Bradley had a storage bed designed and built by Jason Good Custom Cabinets.

(They also collaboratively designed all of the custom cabinetry and built-ins in the house, along with 519 and Murphy Stewart.) A moveable panel in the headboard opens up a view to the ocean from the cast-iron tub on the other side of the wall.

The family’s house is that rare new-build that ran smoothly and kept to its tight 11-month schedule—a feat

7 2 m a r c h 2 0 1 8 / westernliving.ca

that everyone involved credits to general contractor Al Southall and his crew. In fact, the only surprise during construction was ultimately serendipitous: during excavation, sandy soil on the west side of the site gave way and a concrete retaining wall had to be installed. For some homeowners, the long, five-foot-wide alley created by the new wall and the side of the house would be considered dead space, but for lacrosse players, it’s an ideal spot to toss and catch a lacrosse ball—and was the only sort of space the twins had asked their parents to include in the house plans from the very beginning. Says Ericksen: “That bounce is the soundtrack of my life.”

S e e S o u r c e S at w e S t e r n l i v i n g .c a

DESIGNERS OF THE YEAR 2018 CELEBRATING THE BEST NEW DESIGN IN WESTERN CANADA, AS JUDGED BY THE WORLD’S FOREMOST DESIGNERS AND ARCHITECTS.

ENTER NOW! DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES

APRIL 2, 2018 ENTRY FORM AND DETAILS AT

DESIGNERSOFTHEYEAR.CA

The Western Living e-newsletter brings you inspired home and entertaining ideas three times a week, including: • Exclusive home tours • Design advice from the pros • Wine picks • Fabulous events • Must-try dishes from our Recipe Finder PLUS entertaining tips, fantastic contests, getaway guides, cooking tips, and everything else you need to know to live life well in the West.

FOOD

R E S T A U R A N T S // E X P E R T A D V I C E // E N T E R T A I N I N G // W I N E // R E C I P E S

Game Changer

Lindsay Nichols

What if you couldn’t exercise at all? For Calgarian (and former competitive swimmer) Lauren Klukas, this quandary became reality when she was suddenly diagnosed with a rare heart condition that made it lifethreatening for her to hit the gym. A lifelong athlete, Klukas had to make an abrupt change to her lifestyle and diet, but she channelled this pursuit to stay healthy into a popular blog, and now book, The Complete Plate.

Inside her new cookbook are 30 different daily meal plans comprising 120 recipes (and snacks!) to keep your body nourished with macronutrients (carbs, protein and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) so that you can stay satiated and manage weight in a healthy way—without any drastic measures. Find her recipe for this bright stuffed squash with tahini sauce on page 76.

The Complete Dish Roasted garlic mellows addictive tahini sauce on this Italian sausage-stuffed squash. Recipe, page 76.

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WLFOOD // BITES RECIPE

E V EN T

TACOFINO BEER DINNERS

Stuffed Squash with Tahini Sauce

2327 E HASTINGS ST., VANCOUVER MARCH 29 THROUGH JUNE 28

Vancouver’s fave fish-taco joint is teaming up with local breweries for a new Beer Dinner series at its Hastings-Sunrise location. For the March event, Tacofino’s head chefs are creating a custom five-course menu with New West’s Steel and Oak Brewing Co., with Strange Fellows, Four Winds and Yellow Dog collaborations to follow.

Tickets are $50. tacofino.com

Squash 1 acorn squash, halved, seeds and stringy bits removed 1½ tsp extra-virgin olive oil ¼ tsp onion powder ¼ tsp black pepper ¼ cup quinoa ½ cup vegetable broth 100 g mild Italian turkey sausage, casing removed, crumbled ¼ cup red bell pepper, seeded and chopped ¼ cup red onion, minced 2 cups spinach, chopped 2 tbsp mozzarella, shredded

Tahini Sauce 2 heads roasted garlic (recipe at westernliving.ca) ½ cup tahini ⅓ cup water 2 tbsp lemon juice

BITES

What we’re eating and drinking

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Trim a small portion off the top and bottom of squash and then cut in half. Brush each cut half with oil, then season with onion powder and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes, until fork tender.

3. Meanwhile, prepare the quinoa. Put quinoa and broth into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil, uncovered, over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until all the liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluff y.

4. Place sausage in a skillet and cook on medium-high heat for 12 to 15 minutes, until fully cooked. Transfer to a mixing bowl and set aside.

5. In the same skillet, add peppers and onions and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, until softened.

6. Add spinach and cook for another 30 seconds.

Remove from heat.

7. Add quinoa and vegetables to the bowl with the cooked sausage and stir to combine. Spoon mixture into each squash.

Top with shredded mozzarella and broil for 1 to 2 minutes, until cheese turns golden and begins to bubble.

8. To make tahini sauce, remove garlic cloves by pinching the end to squeeze out cloves and put them all in a food processor or blender. (Alternatively, use a fork to remove the cloves.) Add the tahini, water and lemon juice and blend until smooth. Serve squash with tahini sauce. Serves 2.

EXCERPTED FROM THE COMPLETE PLATE BY LAUREN KLUK AS. CONTRIBUTIONS BY JANINE ELENKO AND ASHLEE GILLESPIE. RECIPES COPYRIGHT © 2017 LAUREN KLUK AS. PHOTOGRAPHY COPYRIGHT © 2017 LINDSAY NICHOLS. EXCERPTED BY PERMISSION OF FIGURE 1. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

7 6 M A R C H 2 0 1 8 / westernliving.ca

O K A N AG A N W I N E S C H O O L L E S S O N # 1 7 :

So what are sulphites (and do they give me a headache)?

Oh brother—this is a big one. Spend any time talking about wine and someone will invariably say, “Sulphites in wine give me headaches.” While this may be true for slightly less than one percent of the population (according to the FDA), the reality is that most drinkers are far more likely to get a headache from the tannins or histamines in wine than from the sulphites. Or, dare we say it, the alcohol. Our friend, sommelier Kieran Fanning of Grapes and Soda, points out that dried fruit routinely has 10 times the amount of sulphites than most wine does. And while we’re debunking myths, white wine usually has more sulphites than red. So what exactly are they? They’re a catch-all term for the presence of sulphur dioxide (SO2), which is both a natural by-product of the fermentation process and something routinely added to wine to aid in preservation. So while it’s tricky to avoid the former, avoiding the latter can be done by sourcing a “natural” wine, like Haywire’s absolutely fresh and exquisitely juicy Free Form ($35), which adds zero sulphur as a preservative.

Neal McLennan's Wine Pick

H OT R E A D

C H EF ’S T I P S

ENTER THE WORLD OF JACKIE KAI ELLIS

4 Ways to Perfect Stock WITH CHEF ADAM PERRIER, CAFÉ MEDINA, VANCOUVER

MEAT STOCK “Ideally, you want to use bones that have lots of cartilage. I like to use joints (or knuckles) and feet (chicken feet, pig’s trotters). And you can always ask for bones, knuckles or even chicken carcasses at the meat counter if you can’t find them on display.”

VEGGIE STOCK “Over-roasting or burning the vegetables can lead to a bitter-tasting stock. Your stock will be the backbone of whatever you make with it, so its flavour needs to be clean and crisp.”

F O R T H E K I TC H EN TOUGH IT OUT Le Creuset drops its signature rainbow palette and enters the non-stick cookware game with 26 slick anodized aluminum pots and pans ($600 for 6-piece set below), each created using a special hotforging process to prevent warping and keep heat consistent. The Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick Collection is available exclusively at Le Creuset boutiques across Canada. lecreuset.ca

Fish and chicken tacos: Amy H; Steel and Oak Beer: Jordan Megahy/Steel and Oak

HOPS AND WHISKY EDMONTON MARCH 9

O P EN I N G

THE WEDNESDAY ROOM 100–188 8TH AVE. SW, CALGARY

Who Owner Tomi Mustapic and chef Derek Wilkins (formerly of Workshop and Rouge Bistro) Why we’re excited Inside, it’s like your parents ’60s rec room with a modern twist, and on the menu are treats like charred cauliflower with lemon and truffle pine nut aioli. wednesdayroom.com

WIN THIS

For more stock tips and Chef Perrier’s simple chicken stock recipe, visit westernliving.ca/recipes

E V EN T

Over 15 breweries and distilleries from around the world team up for Hops and Whisky at the Royal Glenora Club supporting the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts. Troubled Monk Brewery and Untapped Craft Imports (to name a few) are paired with Eau Claire Distillery and Scotch Malt Whisky Society picks (to name a few more) for a refined night of imbibing for a cause. Tickets from $25. eventbrite.ca

NEVER BOIL YOUR STOCK! (During the cooking process.) “Essentially, a stock is an extraction of collagen from the bones. The slower this process goes, the better your end product will be. You want to get a good yield from your stock—boiling will reduce it too fast and make it cloudy.”

HOW TO STORE IT “Once cooled, your finished stock can be portioned into ice cube trays, frozen and then kept in a freezer bag or container for easy use and smaller applications. A meat stock is good in the fridge for about a week. You can always bring the stock back up to a boil to refresh it.”

Out this month is The Measure of My Powers ($25) a deeply personal memoir from Vancouver’s Beaucoup Bakery founder, Jackie Kai Ellis. At times a story of suffering and loneliness, you’ll be buoyed by Ellis’s pursuit of food-born passion (and Paris!) peppered with recipes that marked key moments in her life—like a true Parisian-style croissant, which took her months of testing temperatures, folds and butters (she even tried to churn her own) until she got it right. indigo.ca

Smeg

Stand Mixer!

CO N T E S T Isn’t it grand when your ultimate baking assistant comes in such a pretty package?

The Smeg ’50s Style Stand Mixer (valued at $599.95) blitzes through doughs for cakes, cookies and the like—but also comes with accessories to roll pasta and cut noodles like fettucine and tagliolini.

Enter to win at westernliving.ca/contests

westernliving.ca / M A R C H

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FEATURED SPEAKER Catch Ovation Award winning Designs by Katerina & Silvie at 12:00 PM as they share their top 5 kitchen renovation tips at the GVHBA’s Home Reno Show on Saturday, March 17, 2018.

1

DAY

6

SEMINARS

20

RENOVATORS & DESIGNERS SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2018 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM VanDusen Botanical Garden To register and view the seminar schedule, visit gvhba.org/homerenoshow First 50 attendees receive complimentary tickets to VanDusen Botanical Garden.

Comprised of home building professionals, the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association wants to help you reach your renovation goals. Knowing where to source and how to work with a professional renovator will help you complete your project on time and on budget. Take advantage of this one day opportunity to meet award-winning builders, renovators, and designers. Bring your questions. Get answers. Sit in on seminars. Connect with the pros.

GVHBA members build the homes where people want to live.

#HomeRenoShow

Sponsored by:

Oodles of

Noodles From the simple Italian classic cacio e pepe to the Korean sweet-potato noodle stir-fry japchae, these five noodle dishes are the perfect comfort food for cold days. recipes and food styling by lawren moneta photographs by kyoko fierro

westernliving.ca / m a r c h

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WLFOOD // NOODLES

Pump It Up Pho is also delicious served with a small bowl of hoisin and sriracha sauce on the side. Diners can dip their chicken and noodles for added flavour and spice.

Vietnam ALL ABOUT THE BROTH

Pho is arguably Vietnam’s most famous and popular noodle dish. While you may be more familiar with pho bò—beef noodle soup—chickenbased pho gà is just as delicious.

It’s worth taking the time to make your own broth, as the resulting elixir really elevates the final dish. Any remaining broth freezes beautifully.

Pho Gà

Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup 1 yellow onion, peeled and cut in half 2 4-inch pieces of ginger, peeled 1 4-inch cinnamon stick 10 whole cloves 5 star anise pods 1 tsp coriander seed ½ tsp black peppercorns ½ tsp fennel seeds 2 L unsalted chicken stock 4 cups cold water 1 3-lb chicken 2 tbsp fish sauce 1 tbsp coconut sugar or light brown sugar 1 16-oz package dried rice noodles 2 green onions, trimmed and thinly sliced into rounds 2 cups mung bean sprouts or soybean sprouts, for garnish ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish ½ cup fresh mint leaves, for garnish ½ cup fresh Thai basil leaves, for garnish 1 green jalapeño, cut into thin rounds, for garnish 1 lime, cut into 8 wedges, for garnish 1. Turn on oven broiler. Place onion and ginger on a baking sheet and char under broiler. Turn over and char other side.

Set aside. If you have a gas stove, you can char onion and ginger over flame for a few minutes.

2. Place cinnamon, cloves, star anise, coriander, black peppercorns and fennel seeds in a frying pan. Warm and toast spices over medium heat, stirring often, until very fragrant (about 3 to 5 minutes). Place toasted spices in a piece of cheesecloth before tying up with kitchen twine to create a little spice-filled purse. Set aside.

3. Place chicken stock and water in a large stockpot and bring to a boil over high heat. Add whole chicken, charred onion and ginger, and spice bag. If liquid does not cover chicken, add additional water until covered by a half an inch. Once simmering again, reduce heat to medium low.

Let mixture simmer for 30 minutes, removing any scum that may form on surface of soup.

4. Prepare an ice-water bath in a large bowl or pot. Once chicken is cooked, remove it from cooking pot and immediately submerge into ice water to stop the cooking process and give meat a firmer texture. After 2 minutes, transfer to a cutting board and let sit until cool enough to handle.

Remove meat from bones and set aside. Return chicken bones back to stockpot and continue simmering stock for another hour and a half. You should have at least 6 cups of stock remaining. Add in fish sauce and coconut sugar, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Strain stock into a clean pot and discard remaining solids. Season to taste with salt before placing over low heat to keep warm.

5. In a clean saucepan of boiling water, cook rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse well under cold water and set aside.

6. To serve, divide noodles among serving bowls. Top with chicken meat and sliced green onion. Ladle hot stock overtop. Serve immediately alongside a plate piled with bean sprouts, cilantro, mint, basil, jalapeño slices and lime wedges for diners to add to their pho. Serves 4 to 6.

Japchae

Korean Glass Noodle Stir-Fry A traditional Korean dish served at parties and celebrations, japchae is a colourful mix of chewy and translucent sweet-potato-starch noodles, lots of sautéed vegetables and a sweet and savoury sauce. Each ingredient in this recipe is seasoned and cooked individually to best develop its flavour and texture before being tossed all together. Your efforts will be handsomely rewarded with a dish that is equally delicious served warm, at room temperature or cold. Sweet-potato-starch noodles can be sourced at your local Asian grocery store. ¼ cup soy sauce 2 tbsp + 1 tsp toasted sesame oil, divided 3 tbsp grapeseed oil, divided 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tbsp dark brown sugar 4 oz shiitake mushrooms, cut into ¼-inch slices 6 oz beef rib-eye or sirloin, cut into ¼-inch strips 5 oz baby spinach 8 oz Korean-style sweet-potato-starch noodles 2 eggs, lightly beaten Salt and ground black pepper, to taste 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, plus extra for garnish ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced 3 green onions, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths 1 medium carrot, cut into matchsticks 1 red pepper, cut into matchsticks 1. For the japchae sauce mixture, whisk together soy sauce, 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tbsp grapeseed oil, garlic and brown sugar in a small bowl. Combine until sugar has dissolved.

2. Place mushrooms in a small bowl and mix with 1 tbsp of japchae sauce. In a second small bowl, mix together beef with another 1 tbsp of japchae sauce. Set both aside while preparing remaining ingredients.

3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. In a large bowl, make an ice-water bath.

4. Blanch spinach in boiling water. Transfer spinach to ice bath to shock and stop cooking.

Squeeze water from spinach and chop two or three times. In a small bowl, combine spinach and 1 tbsp of the japchae sauce. Set aside at room temperature to marinate.

5. In same pot of boiling water used to cook spinach, add noodles and cook according to package directions. Drain and rinse thoroughly under cold water.

With scissors, cut noodles into 6- or 7-inch lengths, place in a large bowl and mix with 2 tbsp japchae sauce.

6. In a large non-stick frying pan, heat remaining 1 tsp sesame oil over medium heat. Add beaten eggs and swirl pan to cover surface of frying pan in a thin layer.

Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and let cook undisturbed until set (about 2 minutes). Flip over and cook for another 2 minutes. Transfer egg to a plate and let sit until cool enough to handle. Roll up egg and cut into thin ribbons. Set aside.

7. Wipe out frying pan and heat 2 tsp grapeseed oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add noodles and sesame seeds and stir-fry until hot (about 2 minutes). Transfer back to large bowl.

8. Add another 1 tsp grapeseed oil to frying pan and let warm over medium heat. Stir-fry red onions until softened and starting to brown (about 2 minutes).

Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and stir in green onions, cooking briefly until warmed through and just starting to wilt. Transfer to bowl with noodles.

9. Add another 1 tsp grapeseed oil to warm frying pan and stir-fry carrots until crisp and tender (about 2 minutes). Transfer to bowl with noodles. Add another 1 tsp grapeseed oil to pan and stir-fry pepper until crisp and tender (about 1 to 2 minutes). Transfer to bowl with noodles. Add remaining 1 tsp grapeseed oil and stir-fry beef and mushrooms together until beef is cooked through (about 3 minutes).

Transfer to bowl with noodles.

10. Add spinach and remaining japchae sauce to bowl with other prepared ingredients and toss everything together well with your hands or tongs. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Divide among serving bowls and garnish with egg ribbons and extra sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy warm or at room temperature. Serves 4 to 6.

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WLFOOD // NOODLES

Zaru Soba

Cold Soba Noodles 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar ½ cup mirin ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce 1 piece kombu (about a 2-inch square) 1 cup lightly packed dried bonito flakes 1 14-oz package soba noodles ¼ cup finely shredded nori 1 cup ice-cold water 2 green onions, very finely sliced into rounds Prepared wasabi, to serve (optional) 1. In a medium saucepan, stir together rice wine vinegar, mirin, soy sauce, kombu and bonito flakes. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat before reducing heat to medium low. Simmer sauce for 5 minutes before removing from heat. Set aside, allowing sauce to cool to room temperature. Strain sauce, discarding strained solids, and refrigerate until ready to use.

2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Cook soba noodles according to package directions. Drain cooked soba noodles and rinse well under cold water until chilled (about 2 minutes). Divide noodles among serving plates and sprinkle shredded nori overtop.

3. Stir together chilled sauce and water before dividing among four small bowls. Serve sauce alongside chilled soba noodles for dipping.

Place green onions and wasabi on a plate for everyone to help themselves to, if desired.

Serves 4.

Japan CHILL OUT

Zaru soba, a chilled buckwheat noodle dish, is a common snack or light meal during hot summer days in Japan.

Leftover sauce can be kept refrigerated for up to a month and is great as a seasoning for meat or vegetables, or as a dip for tempura or pan-fried tofu.

Japchae All Day This Korean noodle dish pairs springy sweet-potatostarch noodles with sautĂŠed shiitake mushrooms, carrots and baby spinach. Find the recipe on page 81.

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WLFOOD // noodles

Cacio e Pepe

Cheese and Pepper 1½ tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper, plus extra for garnish ½ lb dried spaghetti Kosher salt, to taste 2 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature 1Ÿ cups very finely grated pecorino romano cheese, at room temperature, plus extra for garnish

Italy SIMPLY THE BEST

A great Italian classic, this quick cacio e pepe dish proves that simple is by no means boring.

Cooking the pasta in a frying pan instead of a pot may seem strange, but it helps to concentrate the starch in the water, resulting in a smoother final sauce.

1. In a medium-sized frying pan, stir together olive oil and pepper. Place over medium-low heat and cook, stirring frequently, until pepper is fragrant (about 1 minute). Remove frying pan from heat and set aside.

2. Place spaghetti and a pinch of salt in a large skillet or frying pan and add enough water just to cover pasta. Place skillet over high heat and bring water to a boil. Cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until al dente (about 6 to 7 minutes). With tongs, transfer spaghetti from water to skillet with oil in it.

Reserve pasta cooking water.

3. Place frying pan with oil and pepper mixture back over medium-low heat. Add butter and 2 or 3 tbsp of the pasta cooking water. Add cheese and vigorously stir and toss pasta with a fork until cheese is completely melted and sauce is smooth and creamy. Add a tablespoon or two more pasta cooking water to adjust consistency of sauce if needed. Season to taste with salt. Serve immediately with some extra cheese and black pepper overtop. Serves 3 to 4.

MARCH 22-25

From paint colour to furniture, landscaping to functionality, your space is all about you. Do the homework to make your home work at the Edmonton Home + Garden Show, returning March 22-25, 2018 at the Edmonton Expo Centre. Don’t miss special celebrity speakers and must-see features, plus more than 500 trusted brands to choose from.

While you’re there, snag a break from all the action and visit The Lounge presented by

SAVE $4

* O N R E G U L A R A D U LT A D M I S S I O N

BUY TICKETS ONLINE PROMO CODE: WESTERN

Todd Talbot

Matt Muenster HGTV’s Love It or List It

COURTESY OF

HGTV Canada’s Bath Crasher Vancouver

.com

SPONSORS:

Home and Garden Events PRODUCED BY

@YEGHomeShows #EHGS18

EDMONTONHOMEANDGARDENSHOW.COM

WLFOOD // noodles

Asheh Reshteh

Persian Noodle Soup ½ cup grapeseed oil, divided 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 tsp ground cumin ½ cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight in water ½ cup dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight in water ¼ cup brown lentils, rinsed 2 L unsalted vegetable broth ¼ cup dried mint Pinch saffron threads (optional) ¼ tsp ground turmeric 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced 5 oz baby spinach, finely chopped 1 cup finely chopped parsley leaves ½ cup finely sliced green onion 6 oz dried linguine Salt and ground black pepper, to taste 1 cup plain yogurt, for garnish

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cumin. Sauté until garlic is fragrant but not browned (about 1 minute). Stir in chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils and broth. Bring mixture to a boil before reducing to a simmer. Cover, leaving lid slightly ajar, and allow soup to simmer until beans are tender (45 minutes to 1 hour).

2. Meanwhile, in a small pot, gently heat ¼ cup oil over medium-low heat. Stir in dried mint and remove from heat. Let sit for 5 minutes before stirring in saffron, if using. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

3. In a small frying pan, add remaining 2 tbsp oil and warm over medium-high heat. Add turmeric and onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and starting to caramelize (about 10 to 15 minutes). Transfer onions to a small bowl and set aside.

4. Once beans are tender, stir in spinach, parsley and green onions. Increase heat to medium high and bring soup to a boil. Add linguine and cook until al dente (about 10 minutes). Remove soup from heat and stir in 1 tbsp mint-saffron oil and season to taste with salt and pepper.

5. To serve, divide soup among serving bowls and garnish with fried onions, yogurt and a drizzle of mintsaffron oil. Serve while warm. Serves 4 to 6.

PRO TIP Any leftovers may be kept refrigerated for a couple of days. When ready to serve, warm over medium heat with some extra water or stock stirred in, as the pasta and beans will have soaked up a lot of the liquid.

Iran LUCKY LADLE

March 20 marks the Nowruz, the Persian New Year. One of the dishes you may find during this celebration is asheh reshteh, a hearty noodle, herb and bean soup. The noodles in this soup symbolize good fortune and success in the path ahead. Feel free to substitute other beans you may have on hand, such as dried fava beans or navy beans. Just make sure to keep an eye on them during cooking, as the cooking time may vary slightly.

APRIL 5 – 8

From paint colour to furniture, landscaping to functionality, your space is all about you. Do the homework to make your home work at the Winnipeg Home + Garden Show, returning April 5-8, 2018 at the RBC Convention Centre. Don’t miss special celebrity speakers and must-see features, plus more than 280 trusted brands to choose from.

While you’re there, snag a break from all the action and visit The Lounge presented by

SAVE $4

* O N R E G U L A R A D U LT A D M I S S I O N

BUY TICKETS ONLINE PROMO CODE: WESTERN

Todd Talbot Kortney + Dave HGTV’s Love It orWilson List It HGTV Canada’s Masters of Flip Vancouver

COURTESY OF .com

SPONSORS:

Home and Garden Events PRODUCED BY

@homeshowsMB #WHGS18

W I N N I P E G H O M E A N D G A R D E N S H O W.C O M

We have lots of great stories Waiting to be danced.

We have lots of great stories Waiting to be danced.

Plan your getaWay. visit gohaWaii.com #lethaWaiihaPPen Plan your getaWay. visit gohaWaii.com

TRAVEL

T H E W E S T // W O R L D W I D E // W E E K E N D G E T AWA Y S // N E I G H B O U R H O O D S // R O A D T R I P S

Roots Revival

Major Duomo Florence has no shortage of big-time attractions, but it’s the off-the-beaten-track spots we love.

Kirsi L-M

Ah, Florence—you well-touristed town. Do you have anything new to show us? Yes, it turns out. WL Associate Editor Julia Dilworth hit the Tuscan charmer hoping to suss out some artisanal finds in the city that spawned the Renaissance, and she found an ancient city full of thoughtful designers. From Banksy-esque street artists to in-demand textile gurus, the beating heart of all things crafty still pumps hard here—you just need to know where to look. For all the intel, turn to page 92.

westernliving.ca / M A R C H

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WLTRAVEL // WHITEFISH

Getaway Guide

OVER THE BORDER & THROUGH THE WOODS

The many charms of Whitefish, Montana, are closer than you think.

9 0 M A R C H 2 0 1 8 / westernliving.ca

Whitefish has been a skier’s town since the 1930s, when a cabal of locals began strapping on homemade maple-wood skis with fur climbing skins to ascend the mountain that looms over the small railroad town. The “Hellroaring Ski Club” found they could enjoy a few minutes of leisurely skiing after a mere four-hour uphill trek past the treeline. In those days, the hill was known simply as the Big Mountain (the name used by locals). It’s now known to us tourists as Whitefish Mountain, and the uphill climb has been made somewhat easier via a dozen chairlifts and two T-bars that open up 3,000 acres of bowl and tree skiing, along with a goodly measure of groomed, very schussable runs. The skiing, in other words, is fantastic. This has not gone unnoticed: for a few years, Whitefish has been ranked by Ski Magazine as one of the top 10 resorts in the West in the categories of service, value and character. (More on the “character” part in a moment.)

On my first day here—eager to ski again after two years off boards—I stay at Grouse Mountain Lodge on the local golf course. In winter the course is ingeniously repurposed into a cross-country ski park overseen by the Glacier Nordic Club (GNC): 23 kilometres of groomed

Whitefish Mountain Resort

Big (Mountain) Time The combo of ample space and few skiers means you have a lot of alone time.

by t yee bridge

GettinG there

1

1 Whitefish is located 65 miles south of the border, about a twohour drive from Fernie, B.C. (or five hours from Calgary). From Seattle, you can catch a direct flight to Whitefish or take the Amtrak Empire Builder train, which stops right in town.

eatinG and drinkinG

Check out the newish 2 Spotted Bear Spirits for local vodka, limoncello, and gin distilled from Montana sugar beets—and the Snow Ghost cocktail that uses their own coffee liqueur. spottedbearspirits.com

2

The warren of shops and restaurants at the Stumptown Market is your best destination for lunch, snacks and drinks: Zucca Marketplace Bistro, Glacier Ginger Brew and the Polebridge Bakery and Mercantile.

Stay

3 Grouse Mountain Lodge offers affordable lodging right on the Glacier Nordic Club ski course. glacierparkinc.com

Whitefish town: Kris McGuire

3 trails, with some lit for night skiing. Locals love it for cross-training and cardio on the days they can’t get onto the hill. The trails are out my back door, so with some instruction from GNC staff, I try skate-skiing for the first time rather than traditional Nordic. After a good 45 minutes of flailing, I finish the course feeling semi-competent.

Ruddy-cheeked and emboldened, I feel I’ve found my ski legs again.

I’m ready to try a little hellroaring of my own.

This post-GNC enthusiasm may explain why on Whitefish Mountain the next day—after a poorly executed jump taken at unwise speed—I catch an edge as I come down, my head and poles going one way and my skis going another. Whammo. My skiing partner, a native Whitefishian, is too kind to say how ridiculous I look. And the ski patroller who coolly pronounces my shoulder injury to be “blunt force trauma” mercifully does not inquire how I’d taken the spill. He has no doubt seen too many fortysomething men trying to ski like they’re 17.

Fortunately, the tumble is not the most memorable part of the day. That honour goes to skiing the summit first discovered by the Hellroarers: wide, sweeping glades populated by snow ghosts. It feels

The Firebrand Hotel is one of the town’s newest boutique hotels, located right in town close to restaurants and shops. firebrandhotel.com

like skiing through a sculpture garden, and it provides transcendent spiritual balm for my throbbing shoulder and bruised ego.

As with so many regional ski towns, the mountain is only half the fun. Hellroaring traditions of creative improv live on with local booze, great food and the best craft ginger beer and huckleberry turnovers to be had in North America, among other pastimes. This is where the “character” part comes in. My host’s restraint in teasing me was not purely altruistic: she passed on my clumsiness to higher authorities, to be considered for the Frabert Award at the mountain’s venerable pub, the Bier Stube. Frabert is the name of a wretched little stuffed monkey sporting ski goggles and multiple casts. At the pub, he (or his female counterpart, Fraberta) is presented weekly in ski season as an award to the week’s biggest clod—along with a very large glass of very cheap beer that must be drunk in one go, in front of a crowd reciting the 50-year-old chant: “Here’s to Frabert, who skis so fast, he leaps over moguls and falls on his ass.” I’m only a runner-up, but I still get to stand in front of the assembled bar and take a bow.

Ineptitude has never been so warmly celebrated. westernliving.ca / m a r c h

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Renaissance Redux

Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, is once again sparking that creative spirit with a new generation of artisans and designers who are smitten with the city’s bounty of materials —and the inspiring views don’t hurt either.

by JULIA DILWORTH

BWphotostreet

WLTRAVEL // FLORENCE

I Ciao, Bella The side streets of Florence hold many treasures—if you know where to look.

t’s my first night alone in Florence and—cover your ears, Grandma—I’m waiting for a stranger in a dark alley.

I suppose it’s really more of a side street, with tall windowless walls flush up against its edges, but I’m definitely alone. In the dark. An Italian chap walks by, giving me a quizzical look. “Buona notte!” I chirp, trying to act casual while standing safely off the street, between two parked mopeds.

Tonight is step one of my search to find Florence’s artisanal undercurrent, a new Renaissance of makers in a city that’s now known mostly for its tourist hordes. I’m in the bohemian Oltrarno district to rendezvous with twentysomething jewellery maker Martina Loncar.

Translated, Oltrarno literally means “the other side of the Arno River,” and this quiet strip feels miles away from the bustling, tourist-filled streets that pour north out of the Ponte Vecchio. And just as I’m about to bail for the comfort of streetlights, a door opens and out pops Loncar, wearing a big smile and oversized lime-green frames. westernliving.ca / m a r c h

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WLTRAVEL // FLORENCE

WHERE TO STAY

Redesigned last June by Florentine architect and designer Michele Bönan, the Lungarno Hotel is itself a piece of Florence’s design legacy. It’s owned by the Salvatore Ferragamo family—the Florentine shoe designer’s name is still synonymous with high-end fashion and elevated craftsmanship—and it’s a pedigree you can see throughout their four boutique hotels. The Lungarno sits right on the Arno River, and “North American spacious” rooms (which have traditional bones but modern touches like spa bathrooms and luxe textiles) have massive decks with views of the Ponte Vecchio.

Art and beauty are paramount here, so the hotel also serves as a local gallery, with more than 400 original paintings and sketches from Europe’s canon of artists, including Picasso and Cocteau. You’re a two-minute walk to the Ponte Vecchio, and there’s a one-star Michelin restaurant (the Borgo San Jacopo) right downstairs.

New School It was hard to walk away with just one pair of funky New Kid shoes—all handmade in small batches with everything crafted and sourced in Tuscany (inset, left). The tongue on this leather Monster brooch by jewellery maker Martina Loncar is an electroformed sage leaf (inset, right).

Stepping inside her studio, the Slovenian-born goldsmith tells me she shares this double-storefront space with five other permanent artisans: some local, one from America, another from Japan. As we settle into a pair of chairs, the industrial lights bounce off workstations decorated with hanging pliers, hammers and miniature saws.

“It hasn’t been easy,” she says of starting her full-time business three years ago, following a goldsmith apprenticeship with local maestro Alessandro Dari. Florence is small, its jewellery market saturated, and yet this historic “hub for goldsmiths” has its advantages.

Picking up a black leather-and-copper brooch from her aptly titled Monsters collection (a piece that looks exactly like the little openmouthed xenomorph from the movie Alien), she says, “If I want to find a nice leather for these, I can walk down the street and have it in five 9 4 m a r c h 2 0 1 8 / westernliving.ca

minutes. If I want thinner leather, I can walk another five minutes.” So many artisans in one place—from leatherworkers to metalsmiths to weavers—means you can source any material or collaborative insight.

To further my education into this revival of Florence’s artisan roots, Loncar points to her silver-heeled black leather Chelsea boots and tells me I’ve got to check out New Kid shoes. “The designer’s Australian, but she came here quite a few years ago,” says Loncar. “She has a store and makes everything right here in Tuscany.”

So the next morning, it’s off to Shoes and More, where designer Rachel Beagley sells her New Kid kicks. It’s on the far east side of town (about a 25-minute walk from the city centre), so I hop on the bus and sandwich myself between a pack of equally unimpressed teenagers and seniors. The problem is, I haven’t figured out how to pay, so I spend

Bjork: Marina Denisova

Oltrarno literally means “the other side of the Arno River,” and this quiet strip feels miles away from the bustling, tourist-filled streets near the Ponte Vecchio. the journey desperately trying to look nonchalant while simultaneously stressing about the polizia going easy on me.

I find the simple shop tucked into what looks like the first floor of a North Vancouver office building. Inside, white block tables are covered in handmade, small-batch leather footwear. Pea-green buckle-ups with teal across the toes, brown suede slingbacks, black oxfords with cork and rubber soles—it’s a look Beagley calls “half old Italian man, half kooky art teacher.” All materials are sourced in the area between Pisa and Florence, yet prices are decidedly affordable, at 125 to 170 euros. In the corner, a sale bin of sample shoes and leftovers is marked at 30 euros a pair. “We just want them to go to a good home,” explains the salesperson. I’m not one to pass up a good sob story, so I feel compelled to leave with a pair of her original black Tuscan oxfords, which are perfect for skipping the bus and walking back into town—and, as a bonus, I’ve timed it perfectly to capture a sunset of saturated orange and flamingo pink firing over the Arno.

I start my third day with new shoes and on a mission. I’ve lined up a meeting with La Serra MK Atelier textile designer Margherita Pandolfini—the only catch is that I have to find her first. I’ve been circling the same block for the past 15 minutes, and her door isn’t where it should be. Frazzled and confused, I take a few deep breaths and spot what I think is her studio’s lush inner courtyard inside an iron gate.

Outside, the directory reads “Pandolfini.” Jackpot! But then, under that, Pandolfini, Pandolfini and two other Pandolfinis. My index finger is hovering over the panel when a man comes out and asks me if I need help. “Per favore, dove Margherita Pandolfini?” I ask. It turns out this man is also a Pandolfini, her cousin Jacob, and he takes me right to her door.

My Pandolfini—an Italian with a fantastic London accent—and her business partner, Karl Jorns, have turned their 15th-century greenhouse into a studio and now design small lines of hand-dyed textiles (past clients include Bergdorf Goodman and a Saudi prince who needed a kitted-out tent for Burning Man). She’s also a part of the artisanal group Creative People in Florence, and the pair routinely use their space to host pop-ups to support and promote other designers. Like Loncar, Pandolfini teaches public workshops to share the craft—screen-printing and hand-painting locally made fabric totes and table linens. “Everything is handmade in Florence,” she says. “I couldn’t do that in a city like London”—which is where she grew up. “And I feel like there’s more of a

Hidden Gems of Florence Our insiders tell us their secret tips for finding the best local haunts.

Martina Loncar, goLdsMith Bjork This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it concept store in the Oltrarno district houses hip men’s and women’s fashions and a wide range of art and culture publications (Avante Garde, Kinfolk, Woth, The Gentlewoman). They’ve got a cozy second-floor loft space they’ve set up for private reading sessions and they carry Italian designers like Federico Curradi, Sunnei and New Kid shoes. bjorkflorence.com Black Spring Bookshop Black and red walls with woodland creature murals, skeletal drawings and brick archways make this independent bookstore (and bar) look like it’s a wizard’s study. “It’s a bit dark,” says Loncar. “But I love their choice of graphics, and I can always find something that can be of inspiration—like old encyclopedias.” This counterculture spot also hosts workshops and artist events, plus there’s an entire corner dedicated to vinyl. blackspringbookshop.com Brac “It’s not typical Italian food,” says Loncar, but this popular space is a favourite. Order the tri-plate piatto unico (15 euros) and choose a salad, pasta and faggotino (a crunchy bread pocket with fillings like ricotta and spinach). This lunch/ dinner resto-café and artist event venue has stellar natural light (vaulted domed ceilings, big windows) with an inner open-air atrium (decorated with living room furniture, streamers of hanging pastel fabric and bicycles), plus there are shelves of art books everywhere. libreriabrac.net

westernliving.ca / m a r c h

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WLTRAVEL // FLORENCE

community here,” attracting people from all over. “In France, the artisan creative is dying out, so the French embassy [in Florence] has been bringing students to Italy to show there are still artisan families and people who still make things with their hands.”

It also doesn’t hurt to have a city so visually inspiring. “What’s really beautiful about Florence is that, on an aerial perspective, Florence has the most hidden courtyards that you wouldn’t see at street level,” she says to me while I’m thumbing through a table of bespoke linens with fat blue and blush-pink brushstrokes. Once a year (around April or May, depending on the season), these private gardens and courtyards open to the public for Giardini Aperti (which means “open gardens”). “Anyone can come in; it’s quite special,” she says. Not everyone waits for the event, though, and Pandolfini laughs about how often she’s seen curious 9 6 M A R C H 2 0 1 8 / westernliving.ca

Florentines in her private courtyard just poking around.

Walking the narrow sidewalk back to my hotel, I look up and see the ubiquitous red “do not enter” street sign, yet instead of the white stripe, it has two hands making a heart shape. “Clet Abraham!” I shout.

Let me explain: researching local creatives pre-trip, I found images of Abraham’s hacked Florentine street signs online, some covered in flowers or depicting people chiselling sculptures or cartoon nudes.

He’s like a French-born, Florence-based Banksy, and his work had been on my list to track down (but, like Banksy, seemed impossible to locate). And just like that, an original presents itself to me. I look at the image—equal parts cheeky and sentimental—and take a mental pic: there couldn’t be a better image to leave me with of Florence’s creative heart.

Julia Dilworth

A Whole New World Margherita Pandolfini (seen left) runs her textile studio out of a renovated palace greenhouse—or la serra in Italian— that looks out over a private courtyard. This is the actual hacked street sign the writer discovered on her trip by artist Clet Abraham (below).

Mercato Centrale This massive daily market (left) up in the north end of town is prime ambling territory with street stall after street stall of genuine leather, pleather and Prada knock-offs. Keep walking until you reach the large glass and cast-iron building that houses the food section of the market. Inside, smells from buckets of blackcurrants and dates compete alongside fresh fish and aged cheeses— a great place to pick up snacks. Don’t miss the five-euro plates of paper-thin homemade pasta at “street food” stall Pasta Fresca.

Margherita Pandolfini, textile designer

Secret Garden Each spring Florence’s private gardens open up to the public for Giardini Aperti, but you can visit La Serra MK Textile Atelier (below) year-round by appointment.

Mercato Centrale: Arnold Fang; Garden: Olivia Magris; Portrait: Elizabeth Maxson

Designer Duo Margherita Pandolfini and her La Serra MK Textile Atelier co-founder Karl Jorns.

Numeroventi Pandolfini’s friends run this exhibition and artist residency space that’s on her street (Via Pandolfini) and inside a 1500s palace called Palazzo Galli Tassi. The gallery space is palatial, but the most beautiful parts are the apartments they rent to travelling creatives: bright lofts with six-foot arched windows, simple Italian mid-century modern furnishings, wide-plank oak floors and copper pendant lights. numeroventi.it/ apartments

Stibbert Museum/Museo Stibbert The half-Italian, half-English Frederick Stibbert (also Pandolfini’s ancestor) was a prolific private collector of historic artifacts—all of which are on display inside his former 1800s estate for eight euros! “It’s really inspiring because it’s a bit eccentric,” says Pandolfini.

The rooms show off everything from his lavish decor (leather brocade wallpaper, gilded rococo furniture and Murano glass chandeliers) to his 16,000-piece armour collection (complete with 14 life-sized 16th-century knights on horseback). Well worth the cab trip up the hill. museumsinflorence.com/musei/stibbert_museum

westernliving.ca / m a r c h

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The Look

HERITAGE MODERN

Apply modern finishes to traditional design elements for a fresh take.

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No matter how much you love modernism, history is going to find a way to seep through when you renovate a 100-year-old house. So when designer Jenna Josephson was tasked with helping a young family create a fresh start in their shingle-style Vancouver home, she embraced the building’s heritage—but always with a modern spin. Case in point: the classic wrought iron fireplace. It may be surrounded by elegant moulding and Craftsman-like cabinetry, but a fresh coat of mint-green paint and some cool black-andwhite tiles skew the look in a contemporary direction.

Ryan Broda

WL // trade secrets

WELL- EQUIPPED FROM $19,995*

I CAN’T TAKE MY EYESIGHT OFF OF YOU. My available EyeSight® technology has two cameras that act as a second set of eyes on the road, watching for any dangers ahead†. It can adjust my speed, brake, and keep my front end noticeably ding-free. And if you think that leaves my back end wide open, you clearly haven’t heard about my rear-view camera and available Reverse Automatic Braking feature‡.

Learn more at subaru.ca/impreza.

The 2018 Subaru Impreza. NEVER SIT STILL

*MSRP of $19,995 on 2018 Impreza 4-dr Convenience MT (JF1CP). MSRP excludes Freight & PDI of $1,625. Taxes, license, registration and insurance are extra. $0 security deposit. Model shown is 2018 Impreza 4-dr Sport-Tech EyeSight Pkg AT with an MSRP OF $30,095 (JF2STE). Dealers may sell for less or may have to order or trade. Prices may vary in Quebec. Purchase price in Quebec from $21,735 (taxes extra) for the 2018 Impreza 4-dr 2.0i Convenience Pkg MT (JF1CP). Freight and preparation ($1,625), air conditioning surcharge ($100) and specific duty on new tires ($15) are included. Vehicle shown solely for purposes of illustration, and may not be equipped exactly as shown. See your local Subaru dealer for complete details. †Steering Responsive Headlight feature availability varies by trim level. ‡See Owner’s Manual for complete details on system operation and limitations.

Impreza and Subaru are registered trademarks.