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Designer Gaile Guevara brings sustainable holiday decor to a McLeod Bovell-designed home.
’Tis the Season!
We’re Home for the Holidays with Inspiring Seasonal Designs
Festive Family Recipes From Our Favourite Chefs
PLUS Planet-Centred Furniture Trends for 2022
2021
1275 W 6 AVE. VANCOUVER | 604.730.1275 1348-C UNITED BLVD. COQUITLAM | 604.529.6868
inspirationfurniture.ca
Enjoy the unique touch of Italian design, of furnishings created by our finest craftsmen. Allow yourself to be seduced by the timeless beauty of our collections. Grace your home with a touch of harmony.
Design Days
5101 Empira Black
Dark Collection
We bring the magic of the earth’s raw minerals into your home, with surfaces that become the bedrock and basics for life.
caesarstone.ca
A deep, dark stone, mysterious and opulent, with touches of fine white veining that flow organically across it, contrasting and blending together into a one-of-a-kind surface.
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HOMES + DESIGN
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Trade Secrets
Classic materials combined with futuristic finishes give this home by Synthesis Design a welcoming wow factor.
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Gift Guide
The best holiday gifts for lovers of design, travel, food, fitness and the planet (so yes, we’ve got everyone covered).
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One to Watch
Industrial designer Brian Lin uses his background in fashion to create cover-worthy home objects.
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FOOD + TRAVEL
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Holiday Traditions from the West’s Best Chefs
westernliving.ca
Coastal Cheer
Ami McKay of Pure Design gives a beachy home a jolly makeover, no red or green required.
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Furniture Trends
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PLUS
Checking in on California, Arizona, Hawaii, France and the United Kingdom.
Serving festive food spreads from the past 50 years.
CONTENTS 2021 /
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Go-to family dishes from the homes of culinary stars.
B.C. & ALBERTA L VOLUME 50 L NUMBER 7
8 november /december
All designer Gaile Guevara wants for Christmas is more sustainable design, and this holiday home delivers.
Our 2022 trend forecast emphasizes the natural, the local and the balanced.
The Only Travel Planner You’ll Need for 2022
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Dreaming of a Green Christmas
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Way Back WL
COVER: Gaile Guevera/Janis Nicolay; this page: Brian Lin: Carlo Ricci; egg nog: iStock/Vaaseenaa; home: Pure Design/Janis Nicolay
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FEATURES
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EDITOR'S NOTE
This month we asked our contributors, What holiday traditions are you looking forward to this year?
TO NEW TRADITIONS
Julie Van Rosendaal, “Everything You Always...” page 6 8 Follow Anicka on Instagram @aniqua
Like it was for many folks, Christmas 2020 was a very strange holiday for me: it was the first time in two decades that I didn’t get on a plane and travel to celebrate the season with family. And, stuck at home, there was a lot that I longed for last year. Besides desperately yearning for in-person hugs, I missed our usual traditions: a Slovak kapusta soup with sweet poppyseed rolls on Christmas Eve, White Christmas on TV and my niece and nephew waking us all up way too early in the morning so they could open their stockings. And while I’m certainly craving the return of those traditions—with all the fingers crossed for that to happen this year—in the end, last year’s Christmas brought lots of new things to love as well. My friend Chris and I splashed out on a four-course takeout meal, but the real superstar of the evening was a treat he introduced to me to—one of his own family favourites. When he arrived for dinner, he brought with him a wheel of Mont d’Or—which, as Paris-based writer David Lebovitz says, is a truly spectacular cheese. It’s really only available at this time of year (hence it being a favourite holiday tradition for Chris) and it’s a gooey, stinky, almost liquid piece of heaven. We dug into it with a loaf of great bread, some good wine and yet another Zoom with friends in the city who were having their own shelter-in-place Christmas experiences. If you also experienced a few bright sides to switching up your own traditions, you might be looking to add in something new to your holiday table this year as well. To help you out, our food editor Neal McLennan has rallied chefs across the West to share their own personal holiday recipes. No surprise: it’s not just the usual turkey and mashed potatoes (though we do have plenty of tips on how to prepare the former on page 68, courtesy of Julie Van Rosendaal). I know I’ll be following bartender Shawn Soole’s lead and adding añejo tequila and sherry to my egg nog this year—and, perhaps, some of the ideas in these pages will inspire you to find a favourite new tradition or two of your own. It’s been a long and challenging couple of years, so I hope that your gatherings and celebrations over the coming weeks bring you joy in whatever shape it comes: old traditions, new ideas, or simply going with the flow. For now, from all of us here at Western Living, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.
Though we’re facing more uncertainty this holiday season, I’m looking forward to spending time in the kitchen, making all the things I make every year: mincemeat, shortbread, fruitcake, trifle... Last year I put my mom, sisters and friends on FaceTime in the kitchen, and we baked together.
Barb Sligl, “Project: Planet” page 45 Besides the very basic tradition of spending time with family (not so basic these days!), I’m hoping to help my mom make the traditional sweet bread vánočka, named for Christmas in Czech (Vánoce). It’s an all-day affair. She’s baked it for every Christmas Eve since I can remember and it tastes of home.
BEHIND THE SCENES
I’ve just returned from a few days in Bologna, Italy, exploring the mind-blowing world that is Cersaie: an expo on leading-edge ceramic surfaces (yes, that’s a tiled wall I’m standing in front of from ABK!). Look for all of the trends I discovered in our Jan/Feb issue (trend #1: stunning tile wallpaper in ’80s-inspired flora).
VISIT
anicka quin, editorial director anicka.quin@westernliving.ca
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Anicka Quin portrait: Evaan Kheraj; styling by Luisa Rino, stylist assistant Araceli Ogrinc; makeup by Melanie Neufeld; outfit courtesy Holt Renfrew, holtrenfrew.com; photographed at the Polygon Gallery
q& A
U LT I M AT E G I F T G U I D E • S U S TA I N A B L E H O L I D AY D E C O R • H O T F U R N I T U R E T R E N D S
TR AD E S ECR ETS D esig n e d by SY N T H E S I S D E S I G N
The Look: Mellow Modern-Rustic
Tina Kulic
While most farmhouse-modern homes embrace stark black-and-white palettes, this L-shaped West Vancouver property by Synthesis Design blends a rustic vibe with Scandi-inspired neutrals—and we can’t get enough. The soft colour palette comes from the materials themselves. “The homeowners weren’t interested in a lot of maintenance,” explains Brad Ingram, senior design manager of Synthesis. So Ingram and the team mixed ceramiccoated, cementitious Wall Shell board (“It has a bit of shine to it but is pretty much indestructible,” he laughs) and wood-patterned, high-pressure laminate panel—no stain required. It’s a futuristic take on classic rural materials, but one that still looks oh-so natural and welcoming. Step up the staggered pathway through the concrete arch, and find a barn-like door to beckon you into a space that’s just as beautiful on the inside.
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SPONSORED REPORT
BRUMONT WINES: EXCELLENCE MEETS ENVIRONMENT Although his family set roots in winemaking in 1836, Alain Brumont’s work for the past four decades has proven that history and innovation can work together
F
ollowing in his father Alban’s footsteps, winemaker Alain Brumont has been passionate about agriculture and the countryside he grew up in. Besides hard work and the drive to excel, he learned respect for the vines, and his ethic has remained unshakeable. Throughout his vineyards, he applies methods that he designed and developed over 40 years to be in perfect sync with his philosophy. Brumont’s approach is respectful of the environment and tailored to each varietal and terroir. Given the geographical location across three regions of Southwest France, Brumont’s Château Montus and Château Bouscassé properties benefit from the ocean’s influence, as well as the optimal sunlight of the middle altitudes. A trailblazer, Alain Brumont knew how to make use of the bounty nature offered up to him—from the diversity of soil types and exposures to the altitudes, he has perfected every aspect of the harvesting process. He established a vine-training process that preserves the balance of his soils, while being particularly committed to not disrupting secondary fauna. The Château Montus & Bouscassé parcels are located in an area in close proximity to the Pyrenees. This provides the grapes a cool climate during the maturation phase. The mountains provide natural control of rainy periods, needed for successful outcomes in the vine-growing cycle. Due to climate change, cultivation methods need constant adjustment, so on-site teams try to anticipate needs, always listening to what the soil tells them.
Preserving the secondary flora and microbial life by opting for tailored plant cover, and through practice of a policy of “no work of the land,” means maintaining soil structure and allowing for the remediation of parcels, while attempting to limit the effects of high heat. Alain Brumont has taken this one step further by planting his vines in the heart of the forest, they benefit from an intra-parcel microclimate that fosters a healthier viticulture. The terroir at Château Bouscassé grows the tannat grape varietal which produces a wine with rigour, an elegant structure, and a long aging potential. A mixture of 20- to 100-year-old vines produces a fresh, balanced, structured wine that is expressive and complex with a character of wine offering aromas of red fruits, liquorice and dried flowers. Château Montus is located on the steep slopes of fine clay and large river stones from the Pyrénées and has received the best from unique terroirs in the Southwest of France. This very intense, complex wine, grows from 40-year-old tannat and cabernet sauvignon vines, offers fresh, pure and frank aromas of black cherry, pear and wild mint. LEARN MORE AT: https://www.brumont.fr CONNECT: INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/montusbouscasse FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/MontusBouscasse TWITTER: twitter.com/montusbouscasse
Created by the Western Living advertising department in partnership with Marc Anthony Group
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Presenting: presents! From stylish picks for design aficionados to 2022 kitchen essentials (plus our favourite sustainable goodies), this gift guide has all your solutions for the holiday season. by alyssa hirose
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HOMES + DESIGN HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
For the One Who’s Been Booking (and Cancelling) Flights for Two Years After many (many) months of daydreaming about that sunny vacation, planning a trip is finally possible again. Here are the best gifts for the one who has come down with an incurable case of wanderlust.
Cloud Nine
One thing we didn’t miss during the pandemic was jet lag. For restless travellers, Saje’s Dream Team bedtime routine kit ($48) is better than counting sheep: there’s a soothing body butter, chamomile and lavender roll-on and weighted eye mask for a super slumber. saje.com
Open Book
Best case, books from the Raven Reads subscription box (from $88) will keep them entertained on the subway, train or plane—worst case, they’re a COVID-proof way to escape into imaginative, vibrant worlds from the comfort of home. Raven Reads is the world’s first Indigenous book subscription box, and it’s curated in Kamloops. ravenreads.org
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Carry On
Go-to airport outfits are usually chic or comfy, but rarely both. Vancouver brand Smash and Tess’s Aria romper ($138) checks all the boxes with a cute design crafted from a soft cotton and elastane blend, plus pockets to keep your passport, wallet and headphones close at hand. smashtess.ca
Out of Office
If they can (and will) work from anywhere, Graf Lantz’s new Dogū collection ($471) will help keep their mobile office organized. The vegetable tanned leather set comes with space to hold a computer, pens and other bits and bobs—plus a coaster for their coffee to-go. graf-lantz.com
A Land Steeped in History
AVAILABLE AT SPECIALTY AND BC LIQUOR STORES
Strong Foundation
Looking good on the go is a real art, and for that you need the right tools. Evalina’s travel makeup brush set ($65) has nine—count ’em—mini brushes to help keep that face fresh. evalinabeauty.com
Deep, voluptuous wines with delicate tannins and notes of black fruit Discover the world of Château Montus and Château Bouscassé visit us at: brumont.fr
MarkAnthony.indd 1
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Sit a Spell
Tofino Towel Co.’s fair trade goods are as pretty as they are practical. The luxury beach/bath towel ($148) is ready for a postsurf nap—or a water’s-not-for-me suntan. makevancouver.com
H O M E ACC E S S O R I E S W I T H P E R S O N A L I T Y 2 7 1 7 G R A N V I L L E S T. / T 6 0 4 .8 0 6 .0 5 10 / D E TA I L S B Y M R K .CO M
HOMES + DESIGN HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
For the One Who Loves to Cook (but Loves to Eat More) If food is their love language, we’re only too happy to give them the best cuisine-related gifts out there—so long as they’re sharing.
Box of Bounty
Even if cooking is their passion, everyone deserves a break. For foodies in the Vancouver area, Spanish restaurant El Mercat is offering holiday boxes (from $60 per person) with menu options like Spanish charcuterie, roasted turkey canelons with cranberry bechamel and crunchy almond turrón (a nougat-y confection). elmercat.ca
Send Noods
Real ramen-lovers know a cereal bowl just won’t do. Lineage Ceramics’ Vancouver-designed ramen bowls ($42 each) hold 52 ounces of liquid— they’re the ideal beast for a hefty helping. moeshome.com
Perfect Pie
With great pizza power comes great pizza responsibility—and the Ooni Koda 16-inch gas-powered pizza oven ($735) is for serious slices only. The heavy-duty oven is made with an authentic stone baking base and powder-coated steel shell. It’s so hot, their regular oven might get jealous. kerrisdalelumber.com
Happy Hour
Sweet Socks
We’re a little obsessed with these fortune cookie socks ($20) from the new Foo Hung Curios gift shop in Vancouver’s historic Chinatown. They might not be edible, but they’ll score you big points for cuteness. foohungcurios.com
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Seeing Red
We’ll never tire of Le Creuset’s timeless style, but they’re still keeping things fresh: the new limited-edition Holly collection has classic products in a festive hue, like the 4.1-litre classic chef’s French oven ($299) in enamelled cast iron. lecreuset.com
Up their entertaining game with the Sky wine decanter ($49) from Georg Jensen. It comes with a detachable filter to remove sediment, and the asymmetric stainless steel also adds an organic touch to the tabletop. georgjensen.com
18K GOLD CUFF BANGLE AND EARRINGS
Combining two opposing curvatures in perfect harmony
1457 Bellevue Avenue, West Vancouver | 604.925.8333
STITTGEN.COM
HOMES + DESIGN HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
For the One Who Is Obsessed with Interior Design For the space-curators, the furniture-rearrangers and the Pinterest-scrollers: here are the most stylish gifts to suit the interior inclined.
Got Issues
We’re pretty on-brand with our love of chic magazine racks, and this perch rack ($60) seems like the perfect place to display one’s favourite Western Canadian lifestyle magazine. Just saying. eq3.com
Grind It Out
This colourful Plisse pepper mill ($225) from Alessi is straight out of the ’80s. It adds a little spice to meals, but also serves as an eclectic mini sculpture for the table. shop.vanspecial.com
Tell Me About It, Stud
Design isn’t just for the home, of course—these XO earrings ($35) from Vancouver-based Devi Arts Collective bring effortless style wherever they go. deviartscollective.com
Wax Poetic
For the less-is-more designophile on your list, these pretty tapered candles ($22) and Ester and Erik brass candle holders ($58) are a minimalist match made in heaven. gildandco.com
All the Marbles
From Toronto designer Mary Ratcliffe comes these stunning Calacatta Gold catch-all trays (from $55). They’re inspired by the marble in Italy’s Apuan Alps, and no two are exactly the same. switzercultcreative.com
It Takes Two
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Low-energy LED lighting brand Tala and colour masters Farrow and Ball collaborated to create the gorgeous Muse portable table lantern ($512). It’s shown here in Garden Green, but also comes in Candlenut White and Hackles Black. lightformshop.com
Bringing homes to life
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HOMES + DESIGN HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Waist of Time
We don’t know who decided fanny packs were cool again (or who decided to call them “belt bags”) but we’re loving the hands-free style of the Everywhere belt bag from Lululemon ($38). It’s water-repellent and has zippered pockets to keep the essentials safe. lululemon.com
For the One Who Loves to Sweat It Out Check off the gym lovers, mountain conquerors and yoga practicers in your life with these fitness-focused picks.
Life Salver
Ease that post-workout pain with Indigenous skincare brand Skwálwen Botanicals’ Pá7pawtn nettle and arnica sore muscle salve ($18). Peppermint essential oil makes the salve feel all tingly and super soothing. skwalwen.com
Cork Out
The Corq everyday mat ($98) hails from Calgary with cork from Portugal, which is actually harvested without destroying forests (the outer bark is peeled off, and the tree is left to regenerate it). It’s also anti-slip, flexible and easy to clean—so yes, yoga mats do grow on trees. corqyoga.com
Leave a Wool
Vancouver-based Duer’s Performance merino rib-knit toque ($49) will keep the all-weather hiker you’re shopping for nice and cozy—but not too warm. The temperature-regulating merino keeps sheep comfy in hot summers and cold winters (and works the same for humans). It’s also odour-controlling, a bonus for the super active. duer.com
Jump Around
H2-Go
This high-impact sports bra is a godsend for those extra blessed in the chest. The Catalyst ($98) from Toronto-based Knix is extra supportive and breathable: it’s up for the challenge. Your move, gravity. knix.ca
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Vancouver reusable homeware company Better Basics makes hardy essentials made to last for life, like the Ever bottle ($38), a double-insulated stainless steel vessel to keep your giftee hydrated. betterbasics.co
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NOW SELLING
3 Bedroom Westside Cityhomes + Townhomes Surrounded by parks and playgrounds and only steps from Shaughnessy, Queen Elizabeth Park and Cambie Village, AVENUE 33 is truly Westside by Nature.
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HOMES + DESIGN HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Shoe In
Another step in the sustainable direction? 3D-printed shoes, which don’t produce any extra fabric or offcuts (each part is made to be exactly the right size). Vancouverbased Casca’s Avro knit shoes ($168) were developed in collaboration with orthotic experts, so they’re easy on your feet and on the planet. casca.com
For the One Who Only Shops Sustainably This should be all of us now—while thinking about the climate crisis isn’t very festive, this time of year is particularly wasteful. Here’s a roundup of gifts that are extra-mindfully made. Sustainable Snacking
The Ashleigh extra-large charcuterie board ($260) from Bowyer and Toulson is handmade in Ladner, B.C., with wood sourced from fallen trees around the Vancouver area. This specific board is made from a maple tree, and is perfect for displaying other local goods (like cheese). providehome.com
Splish Splash
Your giftee will be a little closer to living plastic-free with one of Island Soap Co.’s shampoo bars ($12). Each bar lasts up to 60 washes, and there’s no bottle left behind. saltspringgoods.com
Christmas Cloth
For a paper towel-free kitchen, there’s the Swedish dishcloth: an extra-thin, extrastrong, quick-drying cloth that can be washed and reused. Ten and Co’s holiday set ($12) comes with cranberry-printed and “Falala”-themed designs. tenandco.ca
Good Catch
Easy Being Green
This countertop appliance from a Quebec-based startup is taking the gross out of composting. The Tero ($595) is a compost device that odourlessly dries and grinds food waste, reducing the volume by 90 percent. What remains can be used to fertilize your giftee’s lawn or garden. teroinnovation.ca
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We love the transparency of Ecologyst’s Victoria factory/ retail store (the sewers make the clothes before your eyes!) and how all of their goods come with a lifetime guarantee. All that in mind, the Fisherman sweater ($395) is a solid investment. ecologyst.com
28 locations across Western Canada SPLASHESONLINE.COM
HOMES + DESIGN ONE TO WATCH
Portrait: Carlo Ricci
Material Guy BRIAN LIN, Industrial Designer
Designer Brian Lin always had an affinity for home design—he loved scouting
out vintage and antique shops—but the first 10 years of his career were decidedly fashion-focused. Lin moved from his hometown of Houston, Texas, to study product design at New York’s Parsons School of Design in 2005. He started working in product development for bags and, in 2013, a new gig as an accessories designer at Aritzia brought him to Vancouver, where he expanded to neckwear, headwear and belts. “It was a great learning experience, but I could never kick the itch I had for home spaces,” says Lin. And home was about to become a lot more important—for all of us. It was the COVID-19 pandemic that triggered Lin’s transition from accessorizing runways to accessorizing rooms. His evening and weekend project—the beginnings of his own brand—suddenly felt more crucial. He left his 9 to 5 and turned all of his attention to the feeling of home. Populus Project launched in December 2020, with an artful incense burner that joins form, function and feeling. “I love the ambiance incense creates,” explains Lin. “It’s a meditative experience, and it really sets the tone of the space.” He chose to make the Stack incense burner out of solid brass for the patina it takes on over time. The object hides the burning incense, letting the smoke rise from a perforated top, and holds additional sticks in a bottom compartment. “I am really drawn to brutalist and geometric forms that allow materiality to show through,” says Lin. “Everything is concealed in this one object, but even when you’re not using it, it still makes a bold statement.”—Alyssa Hirose
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Talk of the Tray
In addition to the Stack burner, Lin also designs catch-all tabletop trays crafted from marble. He’s expanding his line to include candle holders and lidded vessels in 2022.
Glamorous, even when you’re not.
DREAMING OF A GREEN CHRISTMAS Festivity, Found
Presents are wrapped with recycled paper that designer Gaile Guevara had saved over the years, and then decorated with snips of holly and evergreen from trees around the neighbourhood.
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In a modernist West Vancouver home, designer Gaile Guevara infuses seasonal style with sustainability at every turn. by Anicka Quin // photographs by janis nicolay
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HOMES + DESIGN DREAMING OF A GREEN CHRISTMAS
Magic Moments, Big and Small
The large art installation in the living room is a piece from Damien Hirst. Guevara (top right) hangs reusable glass baubles on a charmingly simple tree.
Black to Basics
The black beeswax candles are from Barter, and the black “vases” are actually packaging that Guevara saved from a shipment of vases for a client. “They were so well made, from Japan,” she says. “I used them for the dehydrated flora, and they’re just perfect.” The two balls in front are actually for organizing long cords and cables. “It looks like a jingle bell,” she says with a laugh. “Anything can be Christmas decor!”
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W
hen designer Gaile Guevara came on board to decorate this home in West Vancouver last year, she knew
“I grew up with the belief that red and green is Christmas. But it really doesn’t need to be.”
she wouldn’t go for a typical Christmas vibe. First of all, the McLeod Bovell-designed house was modern, clean, gorgeous—not really begging for traditional tinsel accents. Second, the home was a part of the 2020 Kids Help Phone Homes for the Holidays virtual tour, so having a thoughtful message was important to Guevara. Third—and most critically—the world was facing both a pandemic and a climate emergency. “I thought, how do I make a Christmas design that’s meaningful for me and the homeowner, and that’s all about sustainability?” she says. “I wanted to honour the architecture and be responsible around celebrating Christmas as genuinely sustainably as we could.” Guevara started with what the homeowners already had on hand, both for their own Christmas decor and what was hiding in their cabinets for everyday use. “The number-one thing in sustainability is reducing what you buy,” says Guevara. “Recycling can’t catch up with what we produce—it can’t keep up with people’s junk.” She searched for pieces that could become vessels to hold colourful fruit, natural greens, pine cones and DIY decorations. Out came steaming baskets, red mixing bowls and wooden trivets and dishes. After all, a bowl of green limes and red apples can bring in those classic Christmas colours without leaving as much waste once the season is over. During one of Guevara’s visits to the property, the gardener was there to do some seasonal maintenance work. The designer collected those cuttings and took them offsite to dehydrate and preserve for holiday arrangements. She also worked with Granville Island Florist for larger arrangements—and, instead of using fresh flowers, the florist designed a sculpture using a Martha Sturdy tray and dried leftover flora from her other work. Even discarded oyster shells became a low-impact decor item, adorned with fresh cranberries and kosher salt grains. “B.C.-grown oysters are one of the most sustainable products out of the ocean,” she said. “Oysters filter our water—they’re a net-positive species. And the
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HOMES + DESIGN DREAMING OF A GREEN CHRISTMAS
shells are also great to use later as a permeable landscape surface, or to incorporate into your garden.” Even the Christmas trees themselves were salvaged. Guevara called up her friend Kenneth Torrance from Barter, who is known for his sustainably designed wood stools and planters. “I asked him, aren’t you making room on your land for a greenhouse?” she says. “And he brought us one of the trees he had to remove.” That tree and the others are decorated with solar LED Christmas lights and reusable glass spheres that can be opened and filled with seasonal decor—in this case, snips of evergreen and holly berries. “They’re great, because they can be used for anything—birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, showers—you just change up what’s inside,” she says. “In spring you could do cherry blossoms gathered from a walk with the kids.” When determining the overall colour palette, Guevara led with what she’d discovered in the homeowners’ cabinets—and, as it happens, they had a fair number of red platters, dishes and more. But while the red she found is that classic holiday colour, she would have been just as happy to go another way, says Guevara: “The holidays tend to be disposable because we give them this specific colour. I grew up with the belief that red and green is Christmas. But it really doesn’t need to be.” And in terms of gifts? Guevara encourages everyone to think about less-tangible items. “If we’ve learned anything from the pandemic, it’s that people need to be reminded to take care of themselves and take care of others,” she says. “If you’re going to give a gift, give time rather than buying something for a friend or a family member. I’m sure that if you took the time to pick flowers from your garden and wrote a nice card saying, ‘I’m really thinking about you,’ that will be remembered more than another thing to add to their home.”
Delight Is in the Details
An oversized resin bowl by Martha Sturdy from Provide holds oyster shells (below)—a surprising and organic choice for holiday decor.
Kids Help Phone Homes for the Holidays is virtual this year, and takes place from November 20 to December 5, 2021. Visit homesfortheholidays.ca.
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SOA R I N G V I E WS From every angle, Aire unveils a glorious new perspective, proclaiming everlasting views. ONE TO THREE BEDROOM RESIDENCES UP TO 2,814 SQ FT
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COASTAL CHEER
A beachy family home keeps it casual-cool for the holidays. by Stacey M c Lachlan // photographs by janis nicolay
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Pom Tree
Trees are dotted with both fresh florals in tropical hues and pom-poms, handmade by designer Ami McKay of Pure Design and her brood over the years. “With my four kids, I would choose a few new colours every year and sit them down as an assembly line,” she says. “A third would fall apart.”
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HOMES + DESIGN COASTAL CHEER
Fire, Fire, Burning Bright
The original river rock fireplace stayed during the renovation (above left), but McKay added a clean new mantel and a built-in bookshelf (which also provides a space to stow spare firewood).
Berry Christmas
For the table decor, McKay kept things simple, with a sprinkling of nosegays. A couple of cake stands instantly add some dimension and levels atop the tablescape. “It’s imperfectly perfect, deconstructed and natural,” she says.
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T
here’s not a speck of red or green to be found in this West Vancouver home—not a jingle bell in
sight. In fact, the main decor elements are coral-hued tropical blossoms. And yet this Ami McKay-designed space feels effortlessly festive. The principal of Pure Design credits the garland. “Over the fireplace, over the kitchen window, it makes everything feel Christmassy,” she says. “You don’t need to have everything be on-the-nose.” A vase of cedar boughs and a few other seasonal greens carry the theme through, says McKay, and create a baseline for her to think outside the box. McKay decorated the home as part of last year’s Kids Help Phone Homes for the Holidays tour. The homeowner’s coral napkins got the (colour) wheels turning for the designer, who stocked up on peachypink blossoms and plenty of pepper berries from florist Hilary Miles. “The house itself is kind of beachy, so we followed that vibe,” says McKay. She should know: she renovated this same home a few years back, creating a
Behind Closed Doors
During the design process, McKay (left) knocked out a wall into a formerly under used storage area and installed a sliding wood door (custom from Millhouse Industries) instead. Now, the space is used as a family room (above), and connects right to the main living area so Mom and Dad can make dinner while the kids play within earshot.
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HOMES + DESIGN COASTAL CHEER
casual coastal space that balances refined, clean lines with a relaxed, beach-house feel. Unsurprisingly, the holiday decor follows suit. Here, textiles are favoured over plastic baubles: wool and stone are key ingredients. Presents are wrapped in linens and towels, or tossed into woven baskets. (And a few are enveloped in wallpaper left over from McKay’s other projects.) It’s in line with the home’s usual material palette, which features rugs from Salari and furniture from Inform in pale blues and oatmeal.
“I think it’s fun to make the kids feel special with a little Christmas in their rooms.” The outdoor spaces here are special, too—so much so that they deserved their own festive treatment. (“The backyard is literally a mountain,” says McKay.) The designer tapped Stoops, a West Vancouver-based company that creates seasonal planters for homeowners, to help tackle the exterior design: a wreath hangs over the outdoor fireplace, while simple woodand-glass candle lanterns nestle into more greenery on the ledge. Even in the bedrooms, the holidays are sprinkled in. “I think it’s fun to make the kids feel special with a little Christmas in their rooms,” says McKay. Each little one gets their own tree, and a basket spilling over with wool garlands. In the parents’ room, more minimalist greenery makes an appearance over the headboard. “It’s fun to do something fresh, and not just sparkle.”
Inside and Out
From the kids’ bedrooms (above) to the backyard (right), you’ll find a sprinkling of warm, natural holiday touches, whether that’s a tiny fir tree in a woven basket or a loose cluster of greenery at the base of an outdoor fireplace.
Kids Help Phone Homes for the Holidays is virtual this year, and takes place from November 20 to December 5, 2021. Visit homesfortheholidays.ca.
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SPONSORED REPORT
ULMUS—SUSTAINABLE, ENDURING PASSION
Success at Ulmus isn’t defined by the bottom line—it is measured by the positive impact the company creates with its developments.
Oku 64/Oak Street (above), Don Redden (far left), Park Royal Towers, West Vancouver, 1956
U
lmus strives to create sustainable, forward-thinking properties in the Vancouver and Western Canadian market with deep consideration for what it creates, but more importantly, how those creations benefit all. “Through design, innovation and our commitment to our environment, we build lasting change,” says CEO Don Redden. “At Ulmus, we understand that it is a collection of talent, desire and a forward-looking vision that drives us to create visually interesting places that will enhance communities for generations to come.” Ulmus is preceded by Redden Construction, founded by Don’s father in 1962. Seeing his father construct the largest residential high-rise project west of Toronto at Park Royal, Redden took great pride in the family business and started his first job completing quality control inspections. And his passion grew from there. “I wanted to build because of this belief and passion for quality and great design,” Redden says. “We chose the name Ulmus—the Latin word for elm tree—because it represents my core belief in sustainability and timelessness. I’ve held onto that belief for four decades and it still drives me today.” A prime example is Oku, the company’s new boutique development in South Oak on Vancouver’s west side, named after the Zen philosophy of “layered special places.” The project is a 132-suite residential development with a zero emissions design with an emphasis on architectural excellence and livability.
“We want to be the first to create an iconic landmark in this evolving neighborhood of South Oak, similar to what the Cambie Corridor was eight to ten years ago,” Redden says. “We made a number of design decisions early on to enrich its character. We increased the wall thickness by 30% allowing us to surpass Energy Code requirements. This allows use of 25% more glass than comparable developments to let in more daylight.” Ulmus is also developing a unique 110,000-square-foot commercial project in downtown Kelowna. “We are very excited about this building as it is a zero-carbon pilot project of the Canadian Green Building Council and will be designed to Living Building Challenge standards—the most stringent in the world,” Redden says. “The building will be energy netpositive, generating more energy than it uses.” Looking forward, Ulmus is excited about plans to develop two forwardliving condominium towers in Metrotown that will include market rental and affordable rental units to serve the community. “The passion I have for this work is deeply personal,” Redden says. “Creating projects that enhance neighborhoods, the environment, and stand the test of time is incredibly fulfilling.”
Created by the Western Living advertising department in partnership with Ulmus Development
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2022
FURNITURE TRENDS
PROJECT: PLANET Yes, our world is still in flux. So it’s no surprise that the design world continues to reflect on this ever-changing state of being. For 2022, creative minds are pushing forward the possibilities of design with fresh purpose amid the chaos and reconvening—digitally or, more recently, once again in person—at the big-name design shows. The design trends that have emerged range from acknowledging the fragility of the natural world and figuring out how to build a more symbiotic relationship with the planet, to finding balance within conflict and forging more humble, rustic and hyperlocal connections. Discover them all on the pages that follow.
by barb sligl
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HOMES + DESIGN FURNITURE TRENDS
Hexagonal wall decor ($199) by ChopValue, inspirationfurniture.ca
Fungi- and rock-inspired Corniche shelves (from $119) by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra, shop.vanspecial.com
Beyond Anthropocene The anthropocene refers to our current era, during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment. And our need to shift this influence was front and centre at recent shows. At “Supersalone” Salone del Mobile in Milan, a “forest” of 200 trees welcomed visitors, and each linden, ash, oak or plum had a QR code directing visitors to Forestami, an urban reforestation project that later replanted those same trees. The Venice Architecture Biennale (the first major architecture event to take place in-person since the coronavirus pandemic began) also celebrated other species, from an exhibition of harvested algae and a banquet hosted for all life forms to a “Future Assembly” installation that imagined a UN that was in alliance with the natural world. In this spirit, decor pieces get down to earth, whether in the biomorphic vibes of the Flora rug, or the Corniche shelving inspired by fungi and rocks jutting from cliffs.
Humpback whale (panel set, $1,200) wallpaper by Coordonné as part of the new Naturae collection, coordonne.es
Pebble pendant (from $1,995) by Lukas Peet, andlight.ca
Hut (price on request) by Ethimo, gingerjarfurniture.com
Flora Bloom rug ($2,734) by Nanimarquina, informinteriors.com
Pelican chair ($8,250) by Finn Juhl, grshop.com
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HOMES + DESIGN FURNITURE TRENDS
Home Fires After the last 18 months, is it any surprise that the Maison&Objet design show in Paris presented themes of “To Be Home” and “To Protect,” celebrating domesticity and humble, heuristic objects? (Roll up that Gus* Modern bar cart!) Trends for 2022 celebrate objects that are meant to nourish the senses, whether for self-care (nest within the Canyon bed) or for sharing (gather on the Cask loveseat), all with tactile qualities (creamy bouclé, natural rattan, warm leather) and organic shapes.
Hotel wood and leather bench ($1,499) by Shinola for Crate and Barrel, crateandbarrel.ca
580 armchair (from $3,997) by Rolf Benz, available at Ginger Jar, gingerjarfurniture.com
Arcade bar cart ($990) by Gus* Modern, omgitssmall.com
Chanterelle hook ($38) by Ferm Living, shop.vanspecial.com
Cask seating (from $5,558, in Ascendent bouclé fabric) by Expormim, spencerinteriors.com
Koba chair ($1,349) by Moe’s Home, moeshome.com
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Canyon bed ($2,699) by Leanne Ford for Crate and Barrel, crateandbarrel.ca
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NORBURN LIGHTING & BATH CENTRE
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HOMES + DESIGN FURNITURE TRENDS
Conflict of Interest The third edition of the Design Biennale Zurich centred on the theme of “Clash”: analog and digital, expectation and reality, natural and artificial. Projects brought together seemingly contradictory materials, ideas and creative processes, such as “Rooting,” modular tiles that mix algorithmic design (concrete) with organic growth (grasses, moss) in a striking pattern created by AI but inspired by nature. Similarly, superstar designer Philippe Starck delved into “generative design” with the AI chair, an algorithmic collaboration that started with this question: “Artificial Intelligence, do you know how we can rest our bodies using the least amount of material?” Other unexpected tensions and intersections are at play in pieces that range from the newly reissued Chiara lamp, inspired by a demur nun’s wimple and conceived in bold stainless steel, to the Felix cushion, set in the yellow-and-grey contrast of Pantone’s colours of 2021.
Kiki cabinet ($2,800 USD) by Jonathan Adler, jonathanadler.com
AI chair ($355) by Philippe Starck for Kartell, livingspace.com Felix cushion ($350) by Au Lit Fine Linens, onceatreefurniture.com
Chiara lamp ($3,635, floor; $795, table) by Flos, livingspace.com
Ella chair ($3,552) by Edra, informinteriors.com
Bowtie sofa ($4,699 for model 3127) by Paul McCobb for CB2, cb2.ca
Weareallfromvenus (price on request) from the Venus Power series of rugs by Patricia Urquiola for CCTapis, informinteriors.com
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Together, let’s celebrate and support small businesses. At the heart of every community, there are hard-working and passionate local business owners, creating jobs and supporting the economy with their innovation and talent. We are proud to support and celebrate your success.
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HOMES + DESIGN FURNITURE TRENDS Charred side table ($960) by Studio Julien Peltier, providehome.com
Baltic chair and ottoman (from $2,495) by Gus* Modern (in Canyon Whiskey or Velvet Russet), omgitssmall.com
The Rurbanite Another theme at Maison&Objet was “New Rustic,” a comment on so-called “rurbanites” leaving Paris for greener pastures—as happened with city dwellers across the globe during the pandemic. This idea of “radical rurality” taps into social and environmental responsibility, and celebrates objects with a certified designation of origin, traceability and sense of place and authenticity. Qualities like unfinished wood, enamelled tin, earthenware, natural hues, organic fabrics, terracotta and cast iron come together in a “dream cabin” vibe. Objects feature a refined rustic feel, like the natural-finish white-oak Fields cabinet with retro caning and the FSC-certified J82 lounge chair (by FDB Møbler, a Danish furniture maker that aims to become Europe’s most sustainable by 2022), or the sublime simplicity of the Biau stool by Montreal design duo Rainville Sangaré.
Fields storage cabinet ($3,399) by Leanne Ford for Crate and Barrel, crateandbarrel.ca
Bingo, Bango and Bongo stools ($250 each, in terracotta or indigo earthenware), eq3.com
Reclaimed teak D-Bodhi hanger with Lincoln square ($770) by LH Imports, qlivingfurniture.com
J82 lounge chair ($1,980) by FDB Møbler, shop.vanspecial.com
Biau stool ($399, in ash or black ash) by Rainville Sangaré, eq3.com
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REAL CONVERSATION STARTERS The party has taken to the kitchen. And in-between anecdotes, glances at your appliances. They’re thinking “I” want that. The redefined luxury of Thermador appliances. High end smart appliances, handcrafted with quality materials and designed to be both functional, and inspiring. Let a Midland Appliance expert take you through a tour of the newly redesigned Thermador Masterpiece and Professional Collections
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Bourse de Commerce — Pinault Collection © Tadao Ando Architect & Associates, Niney et Marca Architectes, Agence Pierre-Antoine Gatier: Photo Marc Domage
C H E F S ’ F A M I LY R E C I P E S • E U R O P E • C A L I F O R N I A • A R I Z O N A • H AWA I I
Art & Architecture
The Tadao Ando-designed Bourse de Commerce houses Francois Pinault’s legendary contemporary art collection, and is one of the newly opened gems awaiting you on your next Parisian getaway.
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SPONSORED REPORT
ALTUS: FORWARD-THINKING HOMES IN WHITE ROCK
Timeless design, incredible views and the beauty and convenience of White Rock—Altus is more than a home; it is unquestionably an urban resort.
W
hether you call White Rock or South Surrey home and are looking for your retirement dream space, or are new to the region seeking a warm, convenience community, Altus is the space of a lifetime.
Wrapped by Semiahmoo and Boundary Bay, this part of the world is famous for its ocean views—but that is only part of the story. Step back, walk up the hill and take a look around, and the views expand to include the whole of the Lower Mainland.
“This location is so accessible,” says Joanne Hoekstra, real estate advisor for Rennie. “It is close to the new highway entrance, and the shops, services and eateries are just a five-minute drive away. Altus is also just a 25-minute walk to White Rock’s East beach promenade.”
White Rock is a burgeoning area with world class amenities and an inviting neighbourhood vibe, and Altus is your gateway to it all. To match modern living and White Rock’s easy-going, lock-and-leave lifestyle, each home will have an EV stall and charger outfitted for an electric vehicle.
This 12-storey mixed-use tower in White Rock features a collection of spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom residences with high-end finishes and spacious layouts with thoughtful storage solutions. Step inside any Altus home and there is one thing you’ll immediately notice. Our design philosophy of “every square inch” is focused on making every square inch count, creating spaces that are effortlessly liveable, have space for all your worldly possessions, and ensure that every space has purpose. “So much thought was given to the floorplan design,” Hoekstra says. “We have over 35 different plans, each making the best use of space, indoor and outdoor. Step into our show suite and you can see there are no wasted corners, the closets and cabinets are organized and offer useful storage options.”
“For a limited time, the next three home buyers will receive their own EV vehicle valued up to $49,999,” Hoekstra says. “It’s a unique offering and highlights the developer’s forward-thinking approach.” Altus is selling now. Book a private appointment today and move in early 2022. Your future awaits.
Learn more at altuswhiterock.com Visit the Presentation Centre, open daily by appointment 1589 Maple Street, White Rock | 778 294 7794 | info@altuswhiterock.com
But Altus homes go a step further, ensuring that your life here will always be as rewarding as the panoramic views. Created by the Western Living advertising department in partnership with Finlay Street Project LP
CONNECT: FACEBOOK: @ALTUSWR TWITTER: @ALTUSWHITEROCK INSTAGRAM: @ALTUSWHITEROCK
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Holiday Traditions from the West’s Best Chefs We love mashed potatoes, stuffing and brussels sprouts as much as the next family, but this year—yet another not-yet-back-to-normal holiday— we wanted to hear about the traditions of some of our local culinary all-stars. Ready to mix up your own classics? Here are the dishes that always appear on their holiday tables.
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FOOD + TRAVEL HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
For a southern Italian family, feasting on seafood is always the highlight on Christmas Eve. We make a variety of different dishes, many of which include baccala. This clam crostini has become a recent favourite of mine. With the leftover marinating oil and clam juice, I like to make a simple spaghetti by heating both in a small pan, adding 250 grams of just under al dente spaghetti and then finishing the cooking process in the clam sauce. —Daniel Costa, Corso 32, Edmonton
1.5 kg manila clams ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced 1 chili, thinly sliced Zest of ½ a lemon ½ tsp kosher salt 1 sprig fresh oregano 1 small handful Italian parsley, roughly chopped 1 small handful interior celery leaves and stems, roughly chopped 1 tsp fresh lemon juice 4 thick slices sourdough bread 1 clove peeled garlic, left whole
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Purge the clams in cold salt water for 30 minutes. Drain and rinse. Heat a medium-sized pan over high heat for 30 seconds or until very hot. Add clams and immediately cover with a tight lid. Allow clams to just open (about 2½ minutes). Remove pan from heat, drain clam juice and discard any unopened clams. Using a small spoon, remove the clam meat and place in a small bowl or container. Discard shells. Add olive oil, salt, garlic, chili, lemon zest and sprig of oregano. Allow clams to marinate in the fridge for at least 3 hours. Preheat oven to 500°F. Using a slotted spoon, remove clams from the marinating oil and place in a small mixing bowl (some oil will remain on the clams). Add parsley, celery and lemon juice, then stir to combine. Drizzle the slices of bread with a little olive oil and roast in the oven until golden brown. Remove bread from oven and lightly rub with the garlic clove. Top roasted bread with the clams. Serves 2 to 4 as an antipasto.
Steven Babish
Daniel Costa’s Clam Sott’olio Crostini with Celery Leaf, Parsley and Lemon
Chapati is always on the table during
holidays in our household, often served with stew, rice pilau and sukuma wiki (collard greens). Chapati preparation is not to be rushed, as the labour of love pays off when you take a bite of the soft, flaky bread with spicy stew. I remember learning how to make chapati in Kenya as a child; there was always excitement in the air when it was being prepared. At home in Canada, my mother continued the tradition every holiday. She would often serve it with beef or chicken stew, and I am very thankful I was able to veganize those same stews and share the experience with my children.—Asha Wheeldon, Kula Kitchen, Vancouver
Asha Wheeldon’s Classic Chapati 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1½ cups warm water 1 tsp salt 4 tbsp any vegetable oil (divided) Place flour and salt in a mixer or bowl. Add 1 tbsp oil while mixing dry ingredients, then add water gradually, paying close attention to dough texture. Mix or knead dough for 10 minutes. Add 1 more tbsp of oil and continue kneading or mixing until absorbed. Place dough in a bowl, cover and let rest for 30 to 60 minutes.
Vaaseenaa/iStock
Divide dough into equal parts and roll out flat. Spread oil and fold dough away to make long noodle-like strands. Roll each strand into a cinnamon bun-like shape, cover and allow to rest for 15 to 30 minutes. Dust flour on working surface and on a rolling pin and begin rolling dough into even circles. Heat a frying pan on medium and place a circle of dough in the pan. After 10 seconds begin to move dough around in circle, pressing down with spatula or clean cloth. Brush oil on one side, flip and brush the other side with oil. Remove off heat, cover chapati with clean cloth and enjoy when ready. Makes 10-12 chapatis.
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Gus StieffenhoferBrandson’s Beef Shank Broth with Markkloesschen (Bone-Marrow Dumplings) Beef broth
Dumplings ¼ cup rendered bone marrow fat 1½ cups breadcrumbs (grated old bread is best for flavour) 2½ cups semolina flour ½ tsp nutmeg 1 tsp black pepper 1¾ tsp salt 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp curry 1 tsp marjoram ¼ cup milk 2 whole eggs 1 cup parsley (plus more for finishing) Push marrow out of the beef shank bones and reserve. Lightly salt and pepper shank, and roast in a pan on the stove over medium heat, until nicely caramelized. Place in a stock pot. Roast vegetables in batches in the same pan with a small amount of oil until well caramelized, then add to pot. Add remaining spices and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until shank is tender (about 2 to 3 hours). Strain off stock and reserve shank meat.
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This was always a family dish for me. My
grandfather would make it and we would all help, and after he passed away my mom carried on the tradition, and in making it together we would remember him. It’s very near and dear to me; it tastes like heart and soul warming nostalgia. Making this dish can be an all-day process, from getting the bones and pushing out the marrow to render (heating in pot until liquid), making the broth with the shanks and vegetables, making the dumplings, rolling them with everyone’s help, and then cooking them in the broth. It is one of my fondest food memories.—Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson, Published on Main, Vancouver
Season soup with salt, freshly cracked pepper and nutmeg. If you’re feeling extra German, a little bit of Maggi Seasoning will help here too. Place shredded shank back into broth once seasoned. To make the markkloesschen, combine all dry dumpling ingredients. Add marrow fat and mix well to combine. In a separate bowl, blend parsley, egg and milk together until smooth. Add egg mixture to dry mix until a crumbly batter forms. Form golf ball-sized dumplings, and test one by gently poaching in broth (just below a simmer). It is finished when it floats. Serve with a giant pile of chopped parsley at the table to add at the last minute. Serves 6-8.
Alleko/iStock
3 to 4 lb beef shank (sliced in 2- to 3-inch pieces, osso buco cut) 5 litres chicken stock 2 onions 3 carrots 4 stalks celery 1 small celeriac 1 small leek 4 cloves garlic 1 tbsp tomato paste 1 cup dried tomatoes 5 sprigs thyme 1 tbsp black peppercorns 5 bay leaves 1 bunch parsley stems Lovage (optional) Salt, to taste Black pepper, to taste Nutmeg, to taste Maggi Seasoning (optional)
FOOD + TRAVEL HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
Darren MacLean’s Boxing Day Turkey Shepherd’s Pie ¼ cup plus 2 tbsp unsalted butter 4 tsp canola oil ¼ cup chopped white onion 1 tbsp chopped garlic 1 tbsp chopped shallot 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme 1 bay leaf 2 cups leftover stuffing 2½ cups chopped leftover turkey (use dark meat if possible and some of the skin) ¾ cup turkey or chicken stock 4 cups leftover mashed potatoes 2 tbsp white miso paste (divided) ¼ cup cream 2 cups leftover gravy (divided) 1 tsp black pepper Chopped fresh parsley and thyme, for garnish Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 12-inch square baking dish with 1 tbsp butter and set aside. In a large sauté pan or skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, shallot, thyme and bay leaf and cook, stirring constantly until translucent. Add 1 tbsp of butter and any turkey skin and cook until some of the fat renders and the skin begins to crisp. Add rest of turkey meat and toss until coated and lightly warm.
Combine ¼ cup of butter, melted, with 1 tbsp of white miso and reserve. Slightly warm mashed potatoes in a saucepan with the cream and stir until smooth. Pour mashed potato mixture over stuffing and gravy and pack until smooth. Brush the miso butter over the mashed and sprinkle with chopped fresh herbs. Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes until stuffing absorbs the gravy and cooks lightly on the bottom. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving with lots of the leftover gravy. Serves 4.
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I always aim for zero waste and this recipe
makes great use of turkey dinner leftovers. My formative experiences in Japan always come to mind when I give thanks during the holidays, and that’s where the sentiment in this recipe lies. The special ingredient of white miso accents the turkey with a slightly exotic savory-sweet richness.—Darren MacLean, Shokunin, Nupo, Eight and GreenFish, Calgary
Jenny Reed
In the buttered casserole dish, add stuffing and then top with the warmed turkey mixture. In another saucepan, warm turkey stock and whisk in 1 tbsp miso paste until fully combined. Add gravy and let it thicken. Season with black pepper and pour 1 cup of gravy over turkey and stuffing. Reserve the rest of the gravy for later.
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FOOD + TRAVEL HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
To be honest, one of my favourite things to do come wintertime is sip this mod-
ern classic from bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler (of Portland’s Clyde Common fame). I literally was making a batch of this to age at Clive’s the day Western Living messaged me. It’s rich and tasty, not overly sweet and uses high-quality ingredients.—Shawn Soole, Clive’s Classic Lounge; podcaster, Post Shift, Victoria
Shawn Soole’s Añejo Tequila Sherry Egg Nog 2 large eggs 3 oz superfine or baker’s sugar 2 oz añejo tequila 2½ oz Amontillado sherry 6 oz whole milk 4 oz heavy cream
Vaaseenaa/iStock
Place all ingredients in a blender and blitz until smooth and fluffy. Chill overnight and serve with grated nutmeg. Serves 6-8.
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SPONSORED REPORT
‘TIS THE SEASON: COOKING SAFETY TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS Kitchen safety tips to help keep the holidays merry and bright
K
itchen fire incidents spike during the holidays, so before the roasting, baking and simmering begins, help ensure the heart of your home is safe. Here are top safety tips every home chef should know to help avoid a holiday cooking incident. Clean your appliances. Food splashes and spatters all the time, but don’t leave the mess. Keep your appliances clean of grease and food debris that could potentially catch flame. Clean your oven before the holiday season and at least every three to six months. Never leave cooking unattended. According to the Council of Canadian Fire Marshals and Fire Commissioners, cooking is the leading cause of home fires—so don’t let the holiday fun distract you from kitchen duties. Keep an eye on open flames and hot equipment. If you must leave the kitchen, turn the burner off. Always use a timer to help remind yourself about food in the oven. Establish a kid zone. Have a “kid-free zone” of at least one meter around the stove and areas where hot food or drinks are prepared. Designate a space away from cooking appliances where kids can play and still be supervised. And always keep knives, cooking equipment and appliance cords away from edges of counters and stovetops for when young children do enter the kitchen.
Help prevent burns. Cook on back burners when possible and keep all pots and pans turned inward, away from the stove edge, to avoid bumping them. Always stir and lift lids away from you to avoid hot food or steam
Created by the Western Living advertising department in partnership with First Alert
burning your skin. Be sure to keep potholders and oven mitts nearby and place hot items in the center of counters on non-slip placemats. Keep a fire extinguishing device nearby. In case of fire, always have an extinguishing device nearby and know how to use it. Research shows that more than 70% of fire extinguisher owners say that they would not feel very comfortable actually operating one. Offering an easy-to-use solution, the First Alert EZ Fire Spray features a lightweight spray-can design with no pins or levers—just point and spray. Install and check smoke alarms. Be alerted to a fire emergency by installing smoke alarms on every level of the home, including the basement, and inside every bedroom. Test alarms regularly and change the batteries every six months. For convenient protection, First Alert offers a variety of 10-year battery alarms that offer a decade of protection while eliminating battery replacements and late-night battery chirps. Even if you have 10-year alarms, it’s still important to regularly test them. With these safety precautions, you and your loved ones can relax and enjoy a happy—and safe —holiday season at home.
To learn more about home safety products and tips, visit firstalert.ca. CONNECT: FACEBOOK: @FirstAlertca INSTAGRAM : @FirstAlertca TWITTER : @FirstAlertcdn
FOOD + TRAVEL HOLIDAY TRADITIONS Give it a rub Remember to thaw
To thaw a frozen turkey in the fridge, set it in a pan (to catch any drips) and allow five hours per pound (10 hours per kilogram). This isn’t an ideal method for larger birds—a 20-pound turkey could take four to five days. To thaw a larger turkey, or to do it more quickly, place it (still wrapped) in a sink or large container and cover it completely with water. Allow one hour per pound (two hours per kilogram).
Stuff it (or not)
The debate has raged for generations: do you pack stuffing into the turkey, or bake it alongside? You can do both, if your holiday table is chronically short of stuffing... or fill a roasting pan with stuffing and set a deconstructed or spatchcocked bird (see right) on top to roast. If you decide to stuff it, pack the cavity loosely right before you slide your turkey into the oven. If you bake it alongside, expect an unstuffed bird to cook more quickly. And if you’re nervous about ensuring the stuffing is sufficiently cooked, spoon it into an oven-safe baking dish, cover with foil to prevent it from drying out and return it to the oven while your turkey rests.
Everything You Wanted to Know About Turkey
While some are ardent believers in a wet brine, it can be awkward and messy. A dry rub is simpler, and will infuse the meat with flavour long before it goes into the oven. Use your favourite herb or spice blend, plus salt if the blend doesn’t already contain it, and rub the mixture generously all over your turkey up to two days before you plan to roast it.
Size matters
When determining how big a turkey to buy, the general rule of thumb is about one pound per person. It may seem like a lot, but that’s the precooked weight, including bone. If you’re a fan of leftovers, round up— go big and go home.
*but were afraid to ask
’Tis the season to brush up on turkey techniques—to discuss the merits of brin-
ing, wax poetic about the deconstructed turkey or the simplicity of an elegant stuffed breast, and lament the lack of small, familysized fresh birds at the grocery store during the holidays. Most of us only roast a turkey once or twice a year, if that, and the pandemic has forced many who were never in charge of the Big Bird to roast theirs at home for the first time. If you’re in need of a refresher, or could use a few tips beyond time and temperature, here are some thoughts. —Julie Van Rosendaal
Low and slow
If the thought of a dry bird, or timing your turkey just right, stresses you out, you can cook a whole smaller turkey in a six-quart slow cooker. You won’t get crisp skin, and you’ll have to do your dressing in the oven, but it’s impossible to not wind up with incredibly moist, fall-apart meat. Bonus: the turkey mess is contained, there’s no pressure to carve it, and you’ll also wind up with some stock in the bottom of the slow cooker. To do it, season your bird with salt, stuff it with a lemon half and a handful of fresh herbs (if you like), put it in your slow cooker with one cup water or stock, cover (if there are gaps, seal them with aluminum foil) and cook on low for six to eight hours.
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Extra crispy
If it’s crispy skin you’re after, make sure you pat your bird dry with some paper towel before rubbing it with oil, soft butter or other fat—moisture is the enemy of crispness.
You can spatchcock that
Spatchcocking—or butterflying—your bird will reduce roasting time by about a third, and because partially deboning it and lying it flat will create a more even thickness, a spatchcocked turkey is easier to cook on the grill. Spatchcocking is something you can ask your butcher to do, or do yourself: place your bird breast-sidedown on a cutting board and use heavy duty kitchen shears to cut along each side of the backbone—through the ribs—to remove it. (Save the backbone for stock.) Flip the bird over and push down to break the breastbone so it lies flat. You can then roast it on a rimmed baking sheet, on the grill or on a bed of stuffing in a large, shallow roasting pan so that the stuffing absorbs the turkey juices, much like it would inside the cavity.
Good gravy
Dark, rich gravy depends on good drippings—ensure a solid starting point by roasting the neck, and perhaps the wing tips and a few extra chicken wings, in a small pan or skillet alongside the turkey. If you wind up with lumps in your gravy despite aggressive whisking, don’t sweat it— put it through a sieve to make it perfectly smooth.
Olga Nayashkova/iStock
Give it a rest
Most of us know to let our turkey rest for 15 minutes or so before carving it—just enough time to put the roasting pan over the burner and whisk up the gravy—but it’s not as commonly understood that you can actually let a roasted turkey rest for an hour or so. Tent it loosely with foil and it will hold onto its heat— an extra-long rest frees up even more time to roast a pan of veggies or bake another side, and eases up that last-minute crunch to get dinner on the table.
THE ONLY TRAVEL PLANNER YOU’LL NEED FOR 2022 It’s been almost two years of “have car, will travel” being the dominant theme in our getaways. And as much as we love exploring in our own backyards (and how thankful are we that we live where we do?), we’re ready to expand our horizons. So as we close off another trying cycle around the sun, here’s a list of the places that we’re chomping at the bit to revisit in the year ahead—as well as a peek at some of what’s changed over the two years we’ve all been stuck close to home.
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort/photo: Robb Gordon
by neal m c lennan
Well Well Well
The Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort, has the modest goal of changing your life.
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FOOD + TRAVEL 2022 TRAVEL PLANNER
PALM SPRINGS
The desert revival keeps marching.
STAY
Fleur Noire Hotel
After the lodging boom of the past decade, you’d think Palm Springs had been fully built out. You’d be wrong— there are no less than five projects scheduled to open this season. We’re most intrigued by the transformation of the old Trade Winds resort into a temple of murals (by Santa Monica artist Louise Jones) and bespoke wallpaper art (by Ellie Cashman), all held together by a rethinking of the interiors by transplanted Seattle architect Chris Pardo. 1560 N Palm Canyon Dr., fleurnoirehotel.com
Luxe Life
The $50 martini at Bar Cecil.
SHOP
Windmill City Super #1 If the oddball name didn’t give it away, this is the latest outpost in Palm Springs’ hipster renaissance. The ever-present logo of an ultra-chill palm tree adorns everything from shirts to shot glasses, and there’s a highly curated selection of local arts, crafts and dry goods to round out the roster. 463 N Palm Canyon Dr., super-number-one.com
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EAT
Bar Cecil
DRINK
Tailor Shop
So new, the paint is not dry yet on this new design district room, which is aiming to be the most serious cocktail spot in town. The emphasis here is on the classics, both in drinks and in the smart design with brass and blue velvet. 140 W Via Lola, tailorshopps.com
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The pandemic’s casualties vastly outnumbered its bright spots, but Bar Cecil somehow wedged itself firmly in the victory column. The modern brasserie opened with a splash mid-pandemic with chef Gabriel Woo (The Sparrows) damning the torpedoes with caviar service and a $50 martini—and they’ve been packed ever since. The hardest table in town, bar none. 1555 S Palm Canyon Dr., barcecil.com
SALMON ARM SMALL CITY, BIG MEMORIES Sometimes a moment is all you need. A moment to connect. A moment to reflect. A moment to relax and enjoy. So why not head to a city where small moments make for big memories. We’ve got plenty of tables to dine at, no shortage of places to put your feet up, and an abundance of markets and shops to get lost in. Wrap it all up in the casual, down-to-earth vibe the Shuswap is known for, and you’ve got the recipe for a vacation to write home about.
Visit travelsalmonarm.ca to start your memory-making jouney.
FOOD + TRAVEL 2022 TRAVEL PLANNER
SCOTTSDALE
The heart of the Southwest keeps beating.
EAT
Francine
A more serene take on dining, this temple to French precision and restraint from chef Laurent Halasz (Fig and Olive) is tucked away in a quiet part of Fashion Square. Gallic classics reign supreme, from a lauded steak tartare to a classic moules frites. 4710 N Goldwater Blvd., francinerestaurant.com Ciao Down
Campanelle Al Gamberi from The Americano
EAT
The Americano
Scott Conant is sort of a thinking person’s celebrity chef—sure, he’s on TV, but you still get the impression that he actually cooks at his restaurants on occasion. His new North Scottsdale spot is a loud and lively take on Italian classics in an area of swanky car dealerships that needed the boost of life. 17797 N Scottsdale Rd., theamericanorestaurant.com
RELA X
STAY
The Well and Being Spa at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess was already one of the nicest in the state, but they’re now going for total wellness dominance with this brand-new spa-within-a-spa concept in partnership with Sisley Paris. Expect Parisian knowhow blended with southwest native botanicals. 7575 E Princess Dr., scottsdaleprincess.com/spa
The former sprawling, 17-acre CopperWynd resort has been reimagined as one of the world’s few Dark Sky properties, where a lack of light pollution means the stars take centre stage. And we’re pretty sure it’s the only Dark Sky property with 177 swish rooms and its own championship golf course. 13225 N Eagle Ridge Dr., aderoscottsdale.com
Adero Scottsdale
Sisley Spa at the Fairmont Princess
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SEE
Chihuly in the Desert
Dale Chihuly sculpture: Scott Mitchell Leen
Left page: The Americano’s Campanelle Al Gamberi: credit Tac Coluccio
The acclaimed Seattle glass artist’s work seems to come alive in the stark desert landscape and this show (running from December 3 to June 19) positions his fantastical creations at two perfect locations: you can go to the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, but we’re partial to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West in Scottsdale, where you can see the two masters play off against each other. 12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., franklloydwright.org/chihulyinthedesert
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Deep Dive
Espacio offers an ultra-private getaway on Waikiki.
HAWAII
Paradise, we’ve missed you. STAY
Espacio, Honolulu
Waikiki can feel like touristcentral at times, but this ninefloor, nine-suite boutique hotel (that’s what we call “full-floor accommodations”) is the classic of legendary beach combined with whirlpool baths, private dry saunas and designer kitchens (complete with Thermador ovens). Italian marble playing off subtle Moroccan design touches gives this hotel a contemporary but warm take on luxe. 2452 Kalakaua Ave., espaciowaikiki.com
EAT
A genre-bending opening from Justin Park (of nearby Bar Leather Apron), this new room seeks to meld his high-end cocktails with the cooking of chef Ki Chung, who’s just relocated from Carmel’s famous Aubergine. The idea is to go beyond pairing to dishes and drinks being co-created to match perfectly. 604 Ala Moana Blvd., barmaze.com
STAY
Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort, Lanai
Yes that mouthful is the full name, but Larry Ellison’s pilgrimage to all things wellness is deserving of a lengthy moniker. The retreat was years in the making and the result is one of the most stunning places on the planet, where devotion to better living—through movement, diet, massage, coaching—is a near religion (of which you will 100 percent become a convert). And lest you think this is an austere Road to Wellness operation, rest assured there’s a (healthy) Nobu and insanely expensive art (by Jaume Plensa and Fernando Botero) scattered across the lush grounds. A potential life changer. 1 Keomoku Hwy., fourseasons.com/sensei
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EAT
Feast, Honolulu DRINK
Podmore, Honolulu
Chef Anthony Rush and Katherine Nomura are the duo behind Senia, the most lauded restaurant on any of the islands, and this is their nearby watering hole, located a few blocks away in the pleasant decay of the newly resurging downtown. There are small plates available, but the focus is drinks served through the lens of a chef, so expect out-there combinations. 202 Merchant St., barpodmore.com
For visitors longing to get away from the tourist zones (that’s us), a five-mile drive from Waikiki up the Manoa Valley brings you to Feast, the ode to the casual, local vibe of a Hilo diner from chef Jon Matsubara (ex-Stage and Canoe House). Here, 95 percent of the menu checks in at under $20— like the amazing butter poached crab and bacon sandwich ($17). 2970 E Manoa Rd., feastrestauranthawaii.com
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort: Robb Gordon; BarMaze: John Hook
Bar Maze, Honolulu
FOOD + TRAVEL 2022 TRAVEL PLANNER
STAY
The Beaumont, London
Fresh from an overhaul at the hands of designer Thierry Despont (whose deft touch refreshed both Claridge’s and the Ritz Paris), this lovely Art Deco property on a quiet Mayfair square channels that timeless contemporary vibe that’s the hallmark of London design. It’s not as well-known as some of its neighbours—say, the Dorchester—but it has the sort of cult following you see from those who want their luxury served a bit more discreetly. 8 Balderton St., Brown Hart Gardens. thebeaumont.com
EAT
Dim Sum Duck, London
UNITED KINGDOM
London has always been great for high-end Chinese restaurants, but the more roll-upyour-sleeves operations have been absent. This new spot in the shadow of St. Pancras Station is proudly no-frills and has been one of the unexpected surprises of the pandemic dining scene. Londoners have been slurping up XLB like they’re going out of style. 124 King’s Cross Rd., dimsum-duck.business.site
VISIT
STAY
Visiting a distillery used to mean a trek to the Highlands or Islands and trudging through vats of bubbling grain before having a quick dram— splendid for the diehards, agony for the only mildly interested. But Johnnie Walker has opened a multi-storey, multisensory experience in the heart of Edinburgh, creating something that brings the making of whisky and the birth of the famed brand into an interactive event—perfect for those rare rainy Scottish days. 145 Princes Street, johnniewalker.com
Few hotels are more iconic than the sprawling sporting estate near Perth that is Gleneagles, so it’s with no shortage of anticipation that the property is launching its first city hotel on Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square. Set to open this winter, the Gleneagles Townhouse incorporates all that’s great about the original: wellness, casual elegance and relaxed exclusivity (part of the operation will be a private members club à la Soho House). 39 St Andrew Square, gleneagles.com/townhouse
Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Edinburgh
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The Beaumont/Le Magritte Bar and exterior: Zac and Zac
Cool Brittania rules again.
STAY
The Londoner: Andrew Beasley
The Londoner, London
Calling yourself the world’s first “super boutique” hotel may seem like a wax-and-feather-wings sort of boast, but the buzz around this brand-new Leicester Square property appears to be warranted. The interiors were designed by Canada’s Yabu Pushelberg (a former WL cover star), there’s a serious art collection (including a monumental piece by Antony Gormley that crowns the lobby) and the entire luxe package is wrapped in a green ethos that produces 30 percent less carbon emissions than the mandated minimum. 38 Leicester Sq., thelondoner.com
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FRANCE
VISIT
Bourse de Commerce, Paris
Billionaire François Pinault of Gucci and YSL fame has engaged Japanese architect Tadao Ando to reimagine the former stock exchange into a suitable showcase for his insanely good art collection. The collection skews contemporary with masterpieces by Cindy Sherman and Kerry James Marshall and it’s the most significant new art venue to open during the pandemic. 2 rue de Viarmes, pinaultcollection.com
Conceptual Healing
The Pinault collection skews ulta-contemporary such as David Hammons’s “High Level of Cats,” which features that classic combo of drums and taxidermed cats.
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David Hammons/Vue d’exposition “Ouverture”, Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection, Paris 2021. Courtesy de l’artiste et de Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection. Photo Aurélien Mole
The culture (and cheese) capital beckons.
SHOP
La Samaritaine, Paris
La Samaritaine: Matthieu Salvaing; Loire Valley Lodges
The luxury goods powerhouse LVMH recently reopened this lovingly restored Art Nouveau masterpiece, which was one of the original prototypes for a department store when it opened in the 19th century. The newly reimagined space moves the offerings seriously up the scale from its previous modest roots, with not only luxury goods on offer in the eponymous store but also a luxe hotel from the Cheval Blanc group and dining from two new spots, Ernest and Voyage. 9 rue de la Monnaie, lvmh.com/houses/ other-activities/samaritaine
STAY
Loire Valley Lodges, Tours
Three hundred acres with 18 swish treehouses, each designed by a different contemporary artist... seriously, where do we sign up? The new property is the brainchild of Parisian Anne-Caroline Frey, who wanted to capture the wonder of a treehouse with the wonder of swanky digs—each one has 375 square feet of living space and a 270-square-foot terrace that includes a private spa. 37320 Esvres-sur-Indre, loirevalleylodges.com
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way back
Celebrating 50 Years We’ve always strived to keep things fresh in our annual holiday issues. Editors of the 1970s got particularly inventive, with Polynesian-inspired menus in ’72 (daiquiris and roast suckling pig, anyone?), hot wrapping trends from Japanese designers in ’76 and something called “bongo bongo soup” in ’71. But the holidays are a time when we also crave tradition and the warmth of the familiar. And so, for every volcano of stuffing you stumble across in our archives (ahem, December 1976), you’re also going to find plenty of nods to more classic takes on this season of comfort and joy. And, if we’re being honest (because we’ve had a few rum and egg nogs), that’s kind of the way we like it. Change (in design, in life!) is good, but come the holiday season, you’re more likely to find us snacking on Dad’s “famous” sugar cookies, hanging up the questionable macaroni ornaments your brother made in third grade, listening to Aunt Cathy sing along to that Boney M. album for the 30th year in a row... and revelling in the fact that some things never change.—Stacey McLachlan
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MADE IN ITALY - design by SEGNO Dining Table
221 10 Ave SW Calgary, AB 403.262.6813 luxuriesofeurope.ca