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CANADA’S

TRENDS ISSUE THE + LATEST

COLOURS

WHAT’S

HOT IN

LIVING IN COLOUR

2022

FROM SOOTHING TO SIZZLING

KIDS' SPACES

styleathome.com

for FUN & GAMES

SOFT

3-seater sofa $1,299

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FROM OUR EDITOR

Trend Watching

PHOTOGRAPHY, ANDRÉANNE GAUTHIER

Our annual trends issue is pure fun. I love seeing – and showing you – what’s new in the world of design. This year, the new paint colours indicate we want a tranquil home. No surprise! The lovely soft greens (see “Colours of the Year,” page 40) show that we realize how crucial nature is to our well-being. But bringing green into your home doesn’t have to mean painting every wall. Take inspiration from designer Louis Duncan-He’s home (page 56). He and his husband needed a stress-free refuge, so Louis used green accents – in plants, plush cushions and wallpapers – to bring a soothing feel to every room.

Experimenting with smaller accessories is a smart way to try on a trend. But remember, no matter the trend, decorating with what you love is paramount. One place where it’s safe to go for a trendy look is kids’ rooms, where you’ll have to redecorate as they grow, anyway. We’ve got amazing kids’ spaces in this issue, including a basement reno (page 46) and a fun space that will have hockey fans young and old cheering (page 50). You have to see it to believe it.

I’m also thrilled that Samantha Pynn, who started her career at Style at Home, is back with a regular column.

This issue, she decodes how to design a living room (page 16). Welcome back, Samantha.

And welcome 2022! Here’s to a new year for all of us, full of beauty and fun.

veronique.leblanc@tva.ca facebook.com/styleathome @styleathome instagram.com/styleathome

STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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56

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

HOMES 56 BREATHING SPACE

A designer and a doctor turn their Calgary new-build into a serene abode where they can unwind and recharge.

68

IT’S A COLOURFUL LIFE A Quebec designer’s love of colour, texture, and mid-century and modern furniture brings singular style to her home.

80 MOD MODE

Clean lines, natural materials and splashes of colour reinvigorate an east-end Toronto home, creating the perfect backdrop for a vibrant art collection.

68

COLUMNS 7

STYLE NEWS The best home decor products, the hottest trends and the most inspiring ideas.

12 HIGH OR LOW

These two bedrooms are dreamy, but you may lie awake wondering which one costs more.

16 DESIGN LESSONS

Samantha Pynn makes decorating a living room as easy as 1-2-3!

18

DESSERT OF THE MONTH Hello, sweet-tart! You’ll love our Lemon Meringue Pudding Squares.

24 INSIDER’S VIEW

Jason Bolden and Adair Curtis talk 2022 trends, interior design and fashion.

18 It’s hip to eat squares! Especially our Lemon Meringue Pudding Squares.

40

32 2022’s looking bright!

Check out our story on this year’s biggest design trends.

We think they’ll light up your life.

DECORATING

FOOD

22 RUSTIC BISTRO

Ceramics that feel handmade set a crafty table that blends rustic with pretty in a welcoming way.

26

SWEET & BOUTIQUE How an abandoned restaurant became a family-friendly vacation rental.

26

92

FIX IT WITH FOOD: TAKE 2 The recipes in chef Michael Symon’s second book are designed for people with autoimmune disorders, but with food that tastes this amazing, folks will want you to share.

REGULARS

32 TOP TRENDS FOR 2022

Our annual roundup of the latest directions in design.

FROM OUR EDITOR

96 SPOTLIGHT 98

3

WORKBOOK

40 COLOURS OF THE YEAR These shades will colour life beautiful in 2022.

44 DREAM WEAVER

Designer Natasha PenzoMcIntosh makes decorating magic in her little girl’s room.

46 PLAY STATIONS

A basement goes from dreary concrete pit to colourful and creative kids’ space.

50 GAME ON!

The crowd at designer Jennifer Backstein’s house goes wild for indoor hockey at home.

52 SHOPPING: KIDS’ ROOMS

ON THE COVER Designer Louis Duncan-He turned his Calgary home into a soothing nest.

Kit out a kiddie space with soothing colours and storage solutions.

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Eymeric Widling Photography

STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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at your

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VOLUME 25 ISSUE 01

Vice-President, TVA Publications Lyne Robitaille Publisher, Monthly Magazines Martine Aubin Publication Director Véronique Leblanc Art Director Isabelle Dubuc Features Editor Kathleen Dore Copy Editor Jennifer Krissilas Contributing Editor Karl Lohnes

ONE EASY WAY TO REACH US: FIRSTNAME.LASTNAME@TVA.CA PRINTING Printed at Transcontinental RBW Graphics, a division of Transcontinental Printing 2005 G.P., 2049 20th St. E., Owen Sound, ON N4K 5R2.

All reproduction requests must be made to COPIBEC (paper reproductions at 800-717-2022) ISSN: 1915-8998 DISTRIBUTION Distributed by Comag SUBSCRIPTIONS: 1-800-387-7244, STYLEATHOME.COM STYLE AT HOME, Sub. Dept., P.O. Box 814, Markham Station, Markham, ON L3P 7Z6. Send address changes to the post office box address above, including the mailing label from your latest issue. Allow eight weeks for changes.

SUBSCRIPTION PRICES Canadian subscriptions: 1 year = $34.95 (plus taxes) U.S. subscriptions: 1 year = $90.00 (payable in advance) International subscriptions: 1 year = $180.00 (payable in advance) Digital editions are available on Molto, Zinio, PressReader and Ebsco.

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Canadian Postmaster: Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Style at Home, 123 Front Street West #909, Toronto, ON, M5J 2M2. Publications Mail Agreement 41557548, PAP Registration 08282. Postage paid at Gateway in Mississauga, ON. OUR PRIVACY POLICY The reproduction of written material, illustrations or photographs from this magazine is prohibited. Although all possible precautions have been taken to ensure that the information contained in Style at Home is accurate, it is understood that the magazine cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions that may occur in relation to the use or presentation of this information. The articles in this magazine are the exclusive responsibility of their authors.

Style at Home is published 9 times a year (except for occasional combined, expanded or premium issues) by TVA Publications Inc., 123 Front Street West #909, Toronto, ON M5J 2M2; 416-733-7600; groupetva.ca.

MAIL STYLE AT HOME, P.O. Box 814, Markham Station, Markham, ON L3P 7Z6 CALL 1-800-387-6332 Complete subscriber services are available online at styleathome.com.

For any comments, please email letters@styleathome.com ©2021 TVA Publications Inc. All rights reserved.

OPERATION & PRODUCTION Director of Operation and Production, Magazines and Newspapers Johanne Perron Production Coordinator Martine Lalonde MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS & DIGITAL Senior Marketing and Circulation Director Martine Aubin Marketing Director, All Platforms Marie-Josée Smith Project Manager Olga Goncalves-Costa Circulation Director Evelyne Labonté Digital Marketing Manager Marie Bioteau ADVERTISING SALES, TORONTO 416-227-8248 (lynda.kaiser@quebecormedia.com) General Sales Manager Patricia Heckmann Senior Director, Media Solutions Jérôme Leys Sales Experts, Magazines Lynda Kaiser, Cathy Ellis, Andrea McBride, Vanessa Watson ADVERTISING SALES, MONTREAL 514-598-2880 (ventespublicitaires@tva.ca) Principal Vice-President, Sales Patrick Jutras Senior Director, Magazines & Newspapers Kimberley Rouse Director, Commercialization Magazines & Newspapers Annie Bergeron Coordinator Rosina De Rose QUEBEC CITY AND REST OF QUEBEC 418-688-9330 ext. 7500 General Sales Manager Nathalie Langevin ADVERTISING SALES, USA Francis Gauthier 416-227-8301 CONTENT MARKETING & CREATIVE MEDIA SOLUTIONS Media and Content Strategist Jeremie Marcoux Project Management and Production Inga Tangreda SENIOR MANAGEMENT, TVA GROUP INC. Senior Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer Martin Picard Vice-President of Communications Véronique Mercier Vice-President of Finances Anick Dubois ADMINISTRATION Human Resources Director Lyne de Mauraige Financial Director Catherine Desroches

style news PAINT PALETTE

of th e mont h

Behr HON EY TEA MQ2-18, Home Depot, homedepot.ca.

PHOTOGRAPHY, WALLPAPER, JAPONISME COLLECTION, OR.NAMI

BeautiTone BLU SH A9-4-1403-4, Home Hardware, homehardware.ca.

BeautiTone RED ISCOVER C42-3-0408-0, Home Hardware, homehardware.ca.

, Behr ROYAL ORCHAR D PPU11-01 . ot.ca edep hom t, Home Depo

WE’RE INSPIRED BY... this year’s soft palette. Shades of green star, but a best-supporting cast of yellow – from pale moon to golden honey – and warm reds like terracotta and rose red will bring a harmony of earthy hues to our homes. Take a deeper dive into 2022’s new paint colours in “Colours of the Year,” page 40.

STYLE NEWS

Sit! Stay!

Pet beds don’t have to be ugly. In fact, these ones are nice enough to incorporate into your room decor. The Cat Couch, a collaboration between L.A. design collective Work In Progress and Block Shop Textiles, is handcrafted from fine birch plywood with a recyclable, replaceable scratch pad in three hand-printed designs. And don’t forget Rover! The WLO dog kennel, available in four dog-tested sizes, incorporates light and air through the use of marine plywood panels and acrylic windows.

Cat Couch, $245, w-i-p.la/products/cat-couch. WLO Dog Kennel, from $191, wlowood.com or etsy.com.

MATERIAL GIRL

Lee Jofa Modern has just launched Kelly Wearstler VI, the celebrated designer’s sixth collection of signature fabrics, featuring luxe textures that range from lush velvets to complex jacquards to intricate weaves. The tactile new line captures Wearstler’s love of natural earthy colours, watery blues and greens, and vibrant corals and mustards, in both classic and new Wearstler patterns.

From approx. $296, leejofa.com.

CHARGE IT CORDLESS STICK VACUUMS REVOLUTIONIZED EVERYDAY VACUUMING WHEN THEY FIRST APPEARED, BUT MOST OLDER MODELS HAD ONE BIG DRAWBACK: THE BATTERY RAN OUT BEFORE YOU’D FINISHED CLEANING. THE NEW LG CORDZERO CORDLESS STICK VACUUM OFFERS A HANDY SOLUTION – IT COMES WITH TWO QUICK-RELEASE BATTERIES, SO YOU CAN CHARGE ONE WHILE VACUUMING WITH THE OTHER, FOR UP TO 80 MINUTES OF TOTAL VACUUM TIME. IT’S ALSO ONE OF THE LIGHTEST CORDLESS MODELS AROUND, BUT THANKS TO ITS 140-WATT MOTOR, IT’S NO LIGHTWEIGHT WHEN IT COMES TO POWER. GET READY TO CHARGE! $700, lg.ca.

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STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

From $135, christian-lacroix.com or designersguild.com. For local retailers, designersguild.com/wheretobuy.

LEGENDARY DESIGN

Brighten midwinter with these painterly prints.

Atlantis, a gorgeous new collection of pillows and a wallpaper by Christian Lacroix’s luminary designer, Sacha Walckhoff, draws inspiration from the legendary isle with breathtaking imagery that would please the gods and goddesses. The wallpaper, which bears the collection’s name, features gigantic blooms and foliage set in a landscape where a wisp of smoke rises from a distant volcano. Oversized, brightly hued florals also adorn large cushions in intricate prints and finely embroidered linen.

STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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STYLE NEWS

THE RIGHT ANGLE

California Faucets’ new Quad Spout puts a whole new angle on the typical kitchen faucet. Made of solid brass, it stands slightly shorter than most standard arc faucets, making it ideal where space is tight, such as below open shelves or a low windowsill. When paired with the new Squeeze Handle spray option, it’s the ultimate in industrial chic – in no less than 28 artisanal finishes. From $985, californiafaucets.com.

SHAPE UP THE RUBIO SOFA STRIKES THE PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN CLEAN-LINED MINIMALISM AND SOFT, TEXTURAL FABRIC THAT’S RIGHT ON TREND. THE SOFA’S RUBENESQUE CURVES AND NUBBY BOUCLÉ UPHOLSTERY CONTRAST THE SLEEK LINES OF ITS THIN POWDER-COATED STEEL LEGS FOR AN IMPACTFUL DESIGN. $3,055, eltemkt.com.

Waste Not It’s fair to say that no one likes to waste food. What if it were easy to not only recycle your scraps but also turn them into clean, sweet-smelling fertilizer for use in your own garden? With a single push of a button, the all-Canadian Tero food waste recycler reduces virtually all food waste by a whopping 90 per cent in as little as three hours, producing a nutrient-rich compost that you simply toss into your garden. Created by a pair of Quebec product designer-inventors, it’s also stylish enough to leave out on your kitchen counter, ready when you need it.

The Tero’s initial test launch in Quebec was an overwhelming success, and it is now available for pre-order starting in February 2022.

From $595, teroproducts.com/en.

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STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

A SMARTER SHOWER Water is a precious resource, which is what makes the Rainstick shower unit a real advancement. It saves up to 80 per cent of water and energy compared with a standard shower, while also doubling the pressure by recapturing, cleaning and recirculating shower water. It’s even Wi-Fi enabled, allowing you to check a dedicated app to see how much water and energy you’ve saved, as well as monitor when the filter material needs replenishing. In a choice of brushed nickel or matte black, it’s as cool to look at as it is to use.

Available for pre-order with delivery in 2022, $4,395, rainstickshower.com.

POT LUCK

From the makers of the bestselling Always Pan comes a new kitchen basic that may prove to be just as useful. The 5.2-litre Perfect Pot replaces your stockpot, Dutch oven, saucepan, steamer, strainer, and even your pot roasting rack, with one pot. It also comes with a perfectly sized roasting/steaming rack and custom beech wood stirring spoon, designed to rest two ways on the pot. Available in seven attractive colours, the Perfect Pot works with any type of cooktop (including induction), is super lightweight and features a slippery non-stick coating. $220, ourplace.ca/products/perfect-pot.

SMALL-SCALE CHIC Europeans long ago perfected the art of living well in small-scale quarters. Now Fulgor Milano is crossing the pond and bringing their compact, beautifully designed appliances to Canadian kitchens. Some models are designed to be built-in with overlay panels that visually enlarge a small kitchen space once installed. The collection also includes small-space cooktops and innovative small appliances, such as a coffee maker/espresso machine with all the bells and whistles that’s only 24 inches wide.

From $999, fulgor-milano.com.

STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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HIGH OR LOW

high OR low?

12 |

STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

Both of these bedrooms will give you sweet dreams. The only thing keeping you awake will be figuring out which one costs more.

PRODUCER PETER PAQUETTE PHOTOGRAPHY MARK BURSTYN

STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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HIGH OR LOW

HIGH $

3,213

1 4

$465

$319

3 5

1 Robert Abbey TABLE LAMP, Robinson Lighting & Bath, robinsonco.ca.

2

$549

5 Taylor alpaca/wool THROW in Ivory, CB2, cb2.ca.

$120

6

6 Lena THROW in Natural, Tonic Living, tonicliving.com.

2 Monarch BEDSIDE TABLE, EQ3, eq3.com.

$305

$395

7

7 Washed-linen queen-size DUVET COVER in Bone, $295, and PILLOWCASES, $100, set of 2, Maison Tess, maisontess.com.

3 Percale queen-size SHEET SET in Blush (fitted, flat, two pillowcases), Maison Tess, maisontess.com.

$85

$975

4 Percale SHAMS (one shown; sold in sets of two), Maison Tess, maisontess.com.

8 Dash & Albert’s Dunes bleached jute 8' x 10' RUG, Tonic Living, tonicliving.com.

8 HEADBOARD PAINT, Warm Hugs D43-0-1598-0, WALL PAINT, Cup of Kindness WB082-1, BeautiTone, Home Hardware. ARTWORK, Twombly Affair, Celadon Art. NOTA lidded JARS, Indigo.

LOW

$

1,129 1

4

$189

$59

1 Annette TABLE LAMP, Urban Barn, urbanbarn.com.

$129

5 Thompson THROW in Ivory, Urban Barn, urbanbarn.com.

3

$40

5

2

2 Bjorksnas BEDSIDE TABLE, IKEA, ikea.ca.

$169

$30

3 Oui organic cotton SHEET SET in Blush (fitted, flat, two pillowcases), Indigo, indigo.ca.

7

$39

8 Dash & Albert’s Dunes bleached jute 5' x 8' RUG, Tonic Living, tonicliving.com.

8 STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

7 Angslilja queen-size DUVET COVER and SHAMS in beige, IKEA, ikea.ca.

$474

4 Oui organic cotton SHAMS (one shown; sold in sets of two), Indigo, indigo.ca.

14 |

6 DKNY cotton slub THROW, HomeSense, homesense.ca.

6

Night Spot

LIGHT SHOW

It’s dark. You need a sip of water. No prob!

There’s a spot for that on your nifty nightstand, your stalwart bedside pal. Which of these natural-wood beauties suits your budget?

A bedside lamp is a must-have, but it also adds style to your boudoir! All you have to do is decide whether to

HIGH

go for one that blends into your decor or one whose material, shape or style provides a counterpoint.

$ 1 Wood base LAMP and fabric shade, $100, Bouclair, bouclair.ca.

2 Bombolla wood base LAMP and glass shade, $399, Crate and Barrel, crateandbarrel.ca.

1

760

Swan walnut nightstand, Must Société, mustsociete.com.

3

3 Fin travertine base LAMP and glass globe shade, $359, CB2, cb2.ca.

599

$

2

Lenia walnut nightstand, Article, article.com.

$

199 Norwood nightstand, Structube, structube.ca.

Linen

Washed-linen FLAT SHEET and COMFORTER, from $100 each (depending on size); washed-linen PILLOWCASES, from $30 each (depending on size); Zara Home, zarahome.com.

Why do we love linen on the bed? Let us count the ways. Linen has lineage, having been woven from flax for thousands of years. It’s breathable and absorbent, making it excellent in both winter and summer.

And its natural elegance gets even better over time as it softens to the touch while its fibres stay strong.

$

170

AllModern pine nightstand, Wayfair, wayfair.ca.

LOW

STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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SAMANTHA PYNN’S DESIGN LESSONS

Designed for Living Samantha Pynn makes decorating a living room as easy as 1-2-3!

Shelter SOFA, from $2,399, Winona COFFEE TABLE, $599, Winona SIDE TABLE, $269, West Elm, westelm.ca.

G

one are the days of the formal living room. From hanging out with family and friends to watching TV, reading and playing, we’re doing everything in the living room! It’s no wonder that designing this space, which has to fulfill so many functions and look smashing, can give the best of us the decorating jitters. Follow along and I’ll show you how to design your space, step by step.

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STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

1. Make a Floor Plan If I could give you one piece of advice on how to decorate your living room, it would be to start with a floor plan. Once you have a sense of where the major pieces will go, everything else – colour, pattern and style – will fall into place.

A successful floor plan maps out the flow, function, and scale and proportion of your furniture. Skip this step and costly mistakes can happen. What’s more disheartening than a sofa that’s too large or a coffee table that’s too small? The good news: there are helpful online tools and services. Check out siandoui.com. I love that their floor-plan package also includes 3-D rendering, a shopping list and a mood board (hint: the photos on these pages comprise a mood board). Or go old school with graph paper or painter’s tape. I like to outline where my furniture will go with tape and then walk through the space to feel how it flows.

2. Set the Mood Next, focus on the main pieces.

First up: where to sit. Test potential sofas and chairs for comfort, and consider whether you want a firm, sculptural sofa or, if you like to lie down, one to sink into.

I suggest going as big as possible with the sofa, even in small spaces. Teensy furniture can make a room feel under-decorated.

An area rug is a must to define and pull together the room. Make it big enough so the front legs of your sofa and chair will rest on it.

Now make a statement by adding an unexpected element for depth and character, like a bright coloured chair or a sculptural coffee table. And avoid having everything

HINT OF MAUVE 2097-50, Benjamin Moore

1

brand new; add in collected treasures or shop for vintage.

As far as colour goes, the trick is to repeat it in varying shades and textures. Say you love mauve and want a minimalist, monochromatic look. Try this: a pale shade on the walls, shades of lavender in your art and rug, a soft blush velvet chair for depth and texture, and finish with wood and woven furniture. Maximalists will want to go bold with wallpaper and accents in analogous and complementary shades.

Don’t forget to include a layered lighting plan, with overheads (recessed, pendants or flush mounts), and floor and table lamps.

SANTA FE TAN 2097-40, Benjamin Moore

2

3

FEATHER DOWN OC-6, Benjamin Moore

1 Myriad 8' x 10' hand-knotted RUG, $1,499, CB2, cb2.ca.

2 Woven LAMP, $50, Winners, winners.ca. 3 Seville LOUNGE CHAIR, $1,495, Elte Mkt, eltemkt.com. 4 Mauve linen 20" x 20" Eyelash PILLOW, $88, CB2, cb2.ca.

5 Natural colour patchwork CUSHION, $74, Simons, simons.ca.

4

5

3. Decorate!

FRAMES, West Elm, westelm.ca.

FLOOR-PLAN TIPS THE BEST LAYOUTS CONSIDER HOW YOU’LL LIVE. ASK YOURSELF: • Does your TV need to be a focal point?

• Do you need a hard-surface coffee table for drinks and snacks, or would you prefer an upholstered ottoman where you can kick up your feet?

• Have you created a conversation area where the furniture placement allows people to sit face to face?

When it comes to decorating, designers often suggest that you start with a rug because it’s a pricier item with lots of colour cues. However, these days there is so much to choose from at different price points that you can save and splurge in many ways, so start with what you love. Something as small as a pillow or vase could be the inspo for the entire room. So collect images of rooms you love with abandon – you’ll likely notice recurring styles, silhouettes and colours. Then run with whatever gives you design butterflies.

Trends come and go. Creamy-dreamy walls, rugs and sofas with white oak floors and punctuated with varying wood tones and black accents is a soothing look with staying power. For forward-looking folks, maximalism (plenty of bold pattern and colour) is on the rise, so don’t be afraid to personalize your living room with patterned drapes, piles of fun pillows and colourful art. It’s your room for living, so I say put your own stamp on it.

STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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DESSERT OF THE MONTH

It's Hip to Eat Squares Hello, sweet-tart! You can’t help but love our Lemon Meringue Pudding Squares.

RECIPE MICHELLE DIAMOND | PHOTOGRAPHY TANGO FOOD STYLING NATALY SIMARD

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STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

INGREDIENTS MAKES 12 SQUARES

Crust 1½ cups all-purpose flour 1¼ cups cold unsalted butter, cubed ½ cup icing sugar ½ tsp salt Lemon Pudding 1 cup granulated sugar ¼ cup cornstarch 1¼ cups 35% whipping cream 1 cup 2% milk 3 egg yolks 2 tsp grated lemon zest ½ cup lemon juice 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed Cream Cheese Filling 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, at room temperature ½ cup sifted icing sugar ¼ cup 35% whipping cream 2 tsp grated lemon zest 1½ tsp vanilla Meringue ¾ cup granulated sugar 3 egg whites, at room temperature

tip

For the meringue, use egg whites at room temperature. If they are too cold, immerse the eggs in a little lukewarm water to warm them up.

DIRECTIONS Crust Line 8-inch square cake pan with enough parchment paper to leave overhang on 2 sides; set aside. In food processor, pulse together flour, butter, icing sugar and salt until ball starts to form. Press mixture evenly into bottom of prepared pan. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 325°F. Prick dough all over with fork. Bake until lightly browned, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in pan on rack.

Lemon Pudding Meanwhile, in saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Add cream, milk, egg yolks and lemon zest; cook over medium heat, whisking, until mixture starts to bubble and is thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice and butter. Strain into bowl; cover and refrigerate until cooled, about 1 hour.

Cream Cheese Filling Using electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese, icing sugar, cream, lemon zest and vanilla until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. Using spatula, spread filling over crust.

Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Whisk chilled Lemon Pudding; spread over Cream Cheese Filling. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Meringue In heatproof bowl, whisk together sugar, ¼ cup water and egg whites. Place bowl over larger saucepan of simmering, not boiling, water (bowl should not touch water). Whisk until candy thermometer reads 160°F, about 5 minutes. Remove bowl from saucepan. Using electric mixer on medium speed, beat mixture until slightly cooled and stiff peaks form. Let cool completely.

Spread meringue over pudding; refrigerate for 1 hour. To serve, cut into squares.

STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

| 19

DESSERT OF THE MONTH

▶ Limited-edition Floral ZESTER, $18, La Guilde Culinaire, laguildeculinaire.com. ▶ Brandy-colour BREAD

PLATE, $15, Lineage, lineageceramics.com.

▶ Denim Canvas

APRON, $25, Crate and Barrel, crateandbarrel.ca.

◀ COFFEE CUP (8 oz.)

AND SAUCER, $26, Lineage, lineageceramics.com.

▲ Nambé Dazzle CAKE KNIFE

AND SERVER, $63, Hudson’s Bay, thebay.com.

shopping ▶ Textured terry DISH TOWELS, $13, set of 2, Crate and Barrel, crateandbarrel.ca.

▶ Keep It Exact walnut

MEASURING SPOONS, $35, CB2, cb2.ca.

▶ OXO Good Grips JUICE

SQUEEZERS, $27 each, Bed Bath and Beyond, bedbathandbeyond.ca.

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STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

DECORATING

Ceramics that feel handmade set a crafty table that blends rustic with pretty in a welcoming way.

STYLING JULIE LAPOINTE | PHOTOGRAPHY TANGO

Rustic Bistro

22 |

STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

Vases in Vogue RUSTIC-LOOKING VASES THAT CELEBRATE FORM OVER FUSSY DETAILS STRIKE A FASHION-FORWARD FEELING WITH SCULPTURAL STYLE. Opposite and above

Noralie CHAIRS, $329 each; Carlyle TABLE, $799; Loic Bard’s Next BENCH, $699; Mobilia. Bogor PENDANT, $268; Sandstone VASE, $30; beige and brown sandstone VASE, $23; artificial foliage STEM, $10; beige and brown VASE, $17; wheat STEMS, $8, set of 6 branches; Zone. Spring Garland WALLPAPER, from $80 per roll, Opposite Wall. Cotton and polyester CUSHION, $22; ceramic FRUIT BOWL, $85; cotton NAPKINS, $22, set of 4; Casa Luca. Stoneware MUGS, $10 each; ceramic PITCHER, $20; EQ3. Organic cotton TABLECLOTH, 65" round, $40, Simons. Acacia wood SERVING SPOON, $9; VASE with terracotta handle, $40; decorative stoneware VASE, $24; dried palm tree BOUQUET, $14; beige stoneware VASE, $42; Buk & Nola. Atelier Trema BEER MUG, $35, Espace Flo.

Earth to Table STONEWARE THAT’S GOT HEFT IN SOFT HUES FROM NATURE IS A PLEASURE TO HOLD AND BEHOLD. Right, top Valérie Pelletier Céramiste’s speckled stoneware: SMALL PLATES, $30 each; large PLATES, $42 each; BOWLS, $30 each; Etsy. RED WINE GLASSES, $32, set of 4; wood and stainless-steel CUTLERY, $52, set of 20 pieces; Zone. Cotton NAPKINS, $36, set of 4, Simons. Acacia wood SERVING BOARD, $45, Casa Luca. Ceramic VASE, $16, Buk & Nola.

Right, bottom Wood SERVING BOARD, $40; Oui glass DECANTER, $35; Indigo. CANDLESTICK, $32, Buk & Nola. Large wooden SPOON, $7, Casa Luca.

Nature Imprint’s small porcelain PLATE, $26; La Branche Déco’s cotton TABLE LINENS, $28; Espace Flo. CANDLES, $4, set of 2, H&M.

INSIDER’S VIEW

We talk 2022 trends, design and fashion with these Hollywood insiders and style makers.

TEXT KARL LOHNES

Hague Blue 30, Farrow & Ball.

Jason Bolden & Adair Curtis

Adair Curtis (left) and Jason Bolden.

Lime White 1, Farrow & Ball.

Modern SECTIONAL SOFA, Montauk Sofa.

Power couple designer Adair Curtis and his husband, stylist to the stars Jason Bolden, bridge the worlds of fashion and decor. Jason has styled Hollywood celebs like Vanessa Hudgens, Trevor Noah and Alicia Keys. Adair got his start working for industry giants, including Sean P. Diddy Combs and Naomi Campbell.

Together they launched Los Angeles based JSN Studio, where they bring fashion and design style to their clients’ homes and lives. You can see how they do what they do on their Netflix series, Styling Hollywood. We caught up with the busy dads (they welcomed baby Arrow Fox to the fold in mid-2021) to get the inside scoop on trends for the new year and to tap into Adair’s approach to designing a beautiful home.

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KL: What are three easy decorating Light Wash Rattan SIDEBOARD, HomeSense.

Nude Chunky Knit THROW, HomeSense.

ideas that could update a room with the 2022 decor trends?

AC: It’s never been easier to update a room with the latest decor pieces. First thing you need to do is apply a fresh coat of paint to the walls in the year’s most calming neutral earth tones. Think of colours you often see in nature. Tones in the brown (soil), green (leaves), or grey (sky) families. Next, incorporate a few vignettes to allow for beautiful style “moments” in your space. Then mix and match artwork of varying sizes with accessories like books, candles and other small decor items.

“The clients are sophisticated world travellers and wanted the home to feel uncluttered yet warm,” says Adair of this JSN-designed contemporary Spanish-style home in Los Angeles. It’s judiciously filled with artisan-made objects and furnishings. “The result is an inviting, soulful home.”

KL: Speaking of colour, what is your go-to paint colour for walls?

PHOTOGRAPHY, NORELL GIANCANA (PORTRAIT), JSN STUDIO (LIVING ROOM).

AC: We’re not typically known for using wall colour in our work. Colour normally shows up in the art collections of our clients, so we create a beautiful base for those art collections to shine in. If neutral, we love Farrow & Ball’s Lime White or their Blackened No. 2011. Both provide the perfect background for beautiful patterned furniture, too.

On the other hand, we have been inspired by what can only be described as an explosion of blues across social media. Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue is a moody yet rich colour I’m excited to create with.

KL: So much of our decorating is influenced by our personal style. How can we marry our fashion style with our decor?

JB: Your home should be a natural extension of who you are, and the approach to both is similar. Whether it’s building a wardrobe or designing a room, you don’t want to focus in on individual pieces so much as spending

time making sure that your wardrobe works in harmony together. Same thing with your home. Even better is when you shop at a retailer that offers a range of styles in both clothing and furniture, like Winners.

KL: I understand you’ve started a family, so it feels natural to ask for your insider’s view on the perfect family-style sofa.

this year, and that trend will continue to build in 2022 to become a new classic for many years to come. A cool thing about wicker and rattan is that it lives so beautifully in spaces dressed up or more casual.

Places like HomeSense offer it as furniture pieces and accessories, so it’s accessible across a broad price range.

AC: If there’s room in the house, a big com-

KL: Is there any 2022 decor trend you are

fortable sectional is the way to go to not only accommodate the family but also occasional guests. I imagine the perfect family-style sofa to live in an open, common area of a home. I’d prioritize comfort and aesthetics, so a foam core wrapped in down or a down alternative would be my pick. I’d choose the leg style depending on the rest of the furnishing styles.

Personally, I prefer an upholstered sofa in a soft fabric that isn’t skirted.

jonesing to work into your designs?

KL: What is the one 2022 decor trend that will stick around the longest?

AC: One strong trend that became really pronounced during the pandemic when we couldn’t really get outside the way we normally would is finding ways to bring more of nature into our spaces. From potted trees to living walls and everything in between, I’m really excited to bring more of nature into the spaces we design in the most interesting and creative ways! Another is thinking about the sustainability of the materials we work with. We’re living through really exciting times.

AC: We’ve seen a lot of wicker and rattan STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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DECORATING

Sweet & Boutique TEXT BETHANY LITTLE PHOTOGRAPHY LAUREN MILLER

How an abandoned restaurant in Ontario’s Prince Edward County became a family-friendly vacation rental.

What’s more vacationy than cabinets in a beachy blush? “The colour changes from soft pink in the morning to a sandy neutral at night,” says owner Tania Kolesnik. The kitchen area opens to the living zone, so dads or mums can wrangle dinner for the kidlets without losing sight of any shenanigans. Cleanup is easy thanks to open shelving. Metals in rose gold and brass bring polish.

CABINETRY PAINT, Bashful 1171, Benjamin Moore. APPLIANCES, GE Café Appliances. Beach photography ARTWORK, Christine Flynn.

S

o, it goes like this: “Two toddlers walk into a bar…” Owner Tania Kolesnik laughs as she explains: “When my husband, Dustin Coldicott, and I bought this two-storey building in Bloomfield, it was just a commercial space with a fully operational restaurant. Well, renovations don’t happen overnight, so for the first six months, our two toddlers camped out with us behind the former bar – not far from an industrial grease trap!”

It took a ton of thoughtful disassembly and creative wall removal to transform the former eating establishment in Prince Edward County, Ont., into a soothing getaway, but it quickly became a favourite destination on Airbnb for travellers, especially families. “Its open layout is super flexible. And the furnishings are intentionally durable,” says Tania. As for guests who adore the rental’s warm tone-on-tone look, there’s a bonus. “I purposefully decorate with easy-to-find affordable items. So, if guests want to replicate the look at home, they can easily copy what’s here.”

THIS PAGE An open-plan layout encourages together time. “But everything can be changed on a whim,” says Tania. At mealtimes, the bistro tables can be side-by-side, but if a Zoom meeting is on the roster, one can be pulled aside as a desk. The modular sofa is durable, easily morphing into a playhouse for little ones or a hangout for tweens playing board games. Always one step ahead, Tania is practical in her approach: “As a mum who travels with kids, I know that nothing saves the day like a throw! They catch crumbs and cuddle someone who needs a good cry.” Chairs in leather and rattan are easy care.

Leather CHAIR, Article. SOFA, Mobilia.

CUSHIONS, DRAPERY, THROW, Hecho.

RUG, Tonic Living. SIDE TABLE, LAMP, CUSHION (on leather chair), HomeSense.

Black arch-shaped MIRRORS, Zara Home.

CHAIR, small SIDE TABLE, IKEA. CANDLE HOLDERS, Kokito.

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DECORATING LEFT Tania’s top tip for a vacation rental?

“Outdoor furniture. It’s made to hold up!” An outdoor rattan daybed serves as a nook for readers of all ages. It can also be a kid-size spot for a sleepover guest. “I love using natural textures to bring in tones and texture, like the beaded wall hanging and pillows,” says Tania.

A table in the bedroom can be a desk or vanity. The painting is by a local artist.

ARTWORK, Anthony Buttazonni. CUSHIONS, HomeSense.

BELOW Weary guests arrive to a bright and spacious primary bedroom. Instead of art, its wall is a celebration of circular objets trouvés in wood, rattan and basketry. “The bed is flanked by poufs with zip-off covers,” says Tania. Think of them as washable bedside tables – perfect for a rental.

CHAISE LOUNGE, LAMP, SIDE TABLE, RUG, BEDDING, IKEA. DAYBED, BED FRAME, Article. SIDE TABLE, OTTOMANS, Tonic Living. MATTRESS, PILLOW, DUVET, Endy.

RATTAN MIRRORS, PILLOWS, H&M Home.

Wooden FLOWER MIRRORS, HomeSense. TRAYS (displayed on wall), Kokito.

CHAIRS, BENCH, TABLE, Article.

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“We absolutely fell in love with this bay window when we first saw the building,” says Tania. “Then, during the renovation, we walked in and found the crew about to pull down the millwork with crowbars! We literally arrived in the nick of time!” Dating back to 1875, the arch and bay

window serve as a cozy nook.

The modern (and inexpensive) chaise, side table and reading lamp are from IKEA. “Any mum or dad having a much-deserved Zen moment here can still see into the living area,” says Tania. Translation: Lego building and art projects can be praised

without having to move. The hanging baskets are thriftstore finds. “I like to thrift for quirky pieces to make spaces unique,” she says.

CHAISE, IKEA.

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DECORATING

“We put king-size beds in both bedrooms because everybody should be happy! And instead of a tub, we installed a big industrial enclosure with two shower heads.”

ABOVE For continuity, the headboards in both the primary and the secondary bedrooms are the same.

The palette in the secondary bedroom is cooler, though – serene greys and blues. Sleepy guests crawl into a bed layered in cottony softness. And nap lovers of all ages nuzzle up to puffy textured pillows.

The metal side table has a handle, so it can be drawn closer (the better to reach that glass of wine) or carried off where little hands can’t reach. The rug is an outdoor runner – so much easier to clean!

BED FRAME, Article. ART, Caroline Walls. MATTRESS, PILLOW, DUVET, Endy. BED LINENS, black SIDE TABLE, IKEA. PILLOWS, small RUG, HomeSense.

THROW, Kokito.

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LEFT Nothing declares “the drive is over and the vacation is here” like a long, hot shower. “This enclosure is surprisingly inexpensive,” says Tania. “The walls are a quality sagegreen tile, which we matched with sage-coloured grout. It looks so modern and clean.”

SHOWER ENCLOSURE and BASE, Fleurco. FIXTURES, Riobel. BENCH, BATH MAT, HomeSense. BASKET, rolled TOWELS, Kokito.

FOR SOURCES, SEE OUR WORKBOOK

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DECORATING

TOP TRENDS for 2022 From fresh and fun to raw and retro, here’s our annual roundup of the latest directions in design. TEXT KARL LOHNES

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This year promises to be an exciting one for home decorating trends. From earthy colours to closed-off kitchens, there are many ways to update your home with fresh new looks. Contributing Editor Karl Lohnes shares 12 of his personal favourites that you’ll want to bring home.

01 DECO DREAMS Carney 6 Light Unique Geometric PENDANT, Wayfair, wayfair.ca.

Breathtakingly modern when it originally appeared in the early 20th century, Art Deco is back with its characteristic sleek, linear style. It looks fresh alongside modern furnishings, bringing a flair from the past to today’s trendiest interiors.

WALLPAPER (left), Tigrs Flame, Kravet, kravet.com. RUG (opposite and below), Rug Company’s Climbing Tiger, Avenue Road, avenue-road.com.

02 YEAR OF THE TIGER

In the Chinese calendar, 2022 is the Year of the Tiger, and it would seem that the design world agrees. Patterns of climbing and crawling tigers are hot, mixing an old-school designer aesthetic with a rock ’n’ roll tattoo vibe. Look for wallpapers, stair runners, drapery fabrics and printed art with this classic-meets-cool pattern we’re absolutely wild about.

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DECORATING

03 EARTH FIRST Arcilla Red quartz SURFACING, Cosentino, cosentino.ca.

It’s official. We’ve gone from shades of grey to shades of clay! Matte clay (and the look of it) is adding a touch of Santa Fe to our homes. The pink-brick tone is showing up in tabletop items, countertops and furnishings. It’s a colour that creates a chic, calming mood in any space and goes perfectly with all neutral tones.

Auburn Wave B38-5-0049-0, BeautiTone, Home Hardware

COR Trio SOFA, Büro Klaus, buroklaus.com.

Terracotta VASE, $20, HomeSense, homesense.ca.

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WALL STICKERS, from $8, Kira Art Decals, Etsy, etsy.ca.

Leanne Ford’s Canyon King Arched Canopy BED, $1,999, Crate and Barrel, crateandbarrel.ca.

04 IN SHAPE

Gild Design House’s Lada TABLE LAMP, $168, Rona, rona.ca.

There is no escaping the arch – from mirrors to headboards, curved sofa backs to archways – this graceful shape is tops in 2022. Be careful with making major modifications to the architecture of your home, unless your love for this trend is everlasting.

But you can be sure we’ll be swooning over this swooping shape for some time.

HYAGO SOFA upholstered in Kenzo Takada Kari fabric, $10,345, Roche Bobois, roche-bobois.com.

05 OPPOSITES ATTRACT Antique Gold and grey PILLOW, $60, HomeSense, homesense.ca.

The colour grey is definitely taking a back seat to warmer colours like brassy yellow and bronzy browns, but no need to bid it a fond farewell yet. Pair cool grey with warm burnished tones like gold, bronze and brown in fabrics and wallpaper. Luxe and very now!

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DECORATING

06 RAIL WAYS

DESIGN, Regina Sturrock Design, reginasturrockdesign.com.

Make architectural impact by showing your stair railings some love. This year, these often overlooked elements are getting their time in the spotlight. Paint them a dramatic colour or replace them with custom ironwork: you’ll create impact and add visual interest on every floor and in between!

07 SOFT TOUCH

Cocooning continues. Comfort and coziness is as crucial as aesthetics for decor lovers in 2022.

Textiles you want to wrap around you, like soft wools, bouclé and faux shearling – on all kinds of upholstery, as well as throws and cushions – are essential and enveloping.

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Curly Fabric Fauvel CHAIR, $272, VdV, vdevmaison.com.

Pull-Up Shearling LOUNGE CHAIR, $2,999, CB2, cb2.ca.

Shepard ARMCHAIR, $499, Structube, structube.com.

Uno ceramic BOWL, $15, VdeV, vdevmaison.com. Sanju PENDANT, $399, Mobilia, mobilia.ca. Wavy sandstone PITCHER, $60, Rose Bonbon, rosebonbon.ca. Pakurigo handmade BASKET, $200, Goodee, goodeeworld.com.

Two-door cane CABINET, $400, Bouclair, bouclair.ca.

08

NATURAL STATE

Objects made of authentic materials and left without polished artificial finishes – like hand-carved wood bowls, natural woven linens and unglazed pottery – bring a raw, handmade look to the home. These humble accessories add charm to even the most modern rooms.

09

KITCHEN PARTY

Give the chef some privacy! As personal space becomes more desirable, the hard-working kitchen gets a room of its own.

That means no more dirty dishes on display, and now we can dream of decorating the kitchen without being tied to the look of the adjacent room.

CABINETRY AND DESIGN, Aya Kitchens, ayakitchens.com.

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DECORATING

10

WALK THE PLANK

Reynolds leather-seat ARMCHAIR, $995, Zone, zonemaison.com.

Wood floors are always in style, but finishes and looks do change.

The latest trend is a narrower plank. Lighter tones continue to dominate, with blond shades, from pine to birch, echoing our gravitation toward a soft, soothing palette.

Tala’s Alumina LAMP in Sapphire with Sphere IV bulb, $175, Goodee, goodeeworld.com.

Abyssinia LAMP (made from recycled plastic), $675, Goodee, goodeeworld.com.

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SUSTAINABLE LUXURY

We predict this trend will last much longer than 2022; instead, it will keep growing in importance. It’s about quality furnishings made with green materials, like reclaimed wood, and recycled wool and plastic. It’s also about how something is made: ethically, and with an artisanal attention to detail. Our love of living plants marries perfectly with this grateful nod to nature.

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Tall copper PLANT STAND, $88, Bendo, bendo.com.au.

Nani Marquina Silhouette OUTDOOR RUG, $3,410, Goodee, goodeeworld.com.

Glass COFFEE TABLE, $799, EQ3, eq3.ca. Grey smokedglass Waina COFFEE TABLE with polished metal legs, $799, Mobilia, mobilia.ca.

12

CLEARLY COLOURFUL ON THE HORIZON IN 2022 • Tie-dye patterns • Kilim rugs • Line art • Playful planters • Feminine floral patterns • Eclecticism • Dressers • Moroccan style • Maximalism • Monochrome kitchens (walls and cabinets in the same colour) • Wicker poufs

Coloured glass tables and shiny surfaces on furniture and lighting bring a smoky and swish ’70s vibe to the home. Dark hues like grey stone and coffee are especially glamorous.

Wave Condo CONSOLE, $427, END TABLE, $298, COFFEE TABLE, $320, Zone, zonemaison.com.

BID ADIEU! • Stainless-steel hoods • Industrial lighting • Artificial plants • Nurseries in baby blue and pastel pink STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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DECORATING

Colours of the Year BREEZEWAY MQ3-21, Behr

EVERGREEN FOG SW 9130, Sherwin-Williams

OCTOBER MIST CC-550, Benjamin Moore

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T

here is no easier way to update your home than with a fresh coat of paint. In the design world, the new year means new colours from the paint companies – colours that capture the mood of the moment and, in turn, help create mood and atmosphere in our homes. For 2022, the direction is clear. We’re head over heels for soft shades of green, as well as warm colours that feel like a welcoming embrace. Which will bring a fresh new look to your rooms in 2022?

A WORLD OF GREEN It’s easy being green, at least it is in 2022, because at all the paint companies, shades of green dominate. We closely associate green with nature, so it’s considered calming and tranquil, and able to give us a feeling of hopeful renewal – just what we need.

Glass LANTERN, 6½" high, $25, Bouclair, bouclair.com. Eloise SOFA, $1,299, Structube, structube.com. Whitley Williams’ Botanical II POSTER, $98 (frame not included), Minted, minted.com. Svelti CHAIR, $238, set of 2, Article, article.com. Bettie velvet CUSHION, $64, CB2, cb2.ca.

Valora Glacier Glass VASE, 15" high, $49, Urban Barn, urbanbarn.com.

BREEZEWAY MQ3-21, Behr

OCTOBER MIST CC-550, Benjamin Moore

OLIVE SPRIG DLX1125-4, Dulux

COOL CURRENT 6199-42, Sico

EVERGREEN FOG SW 9130, Sherwin-Williams

SANCTUARY DR112-3, BeautiTone

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DECORATING WARM HUGS D43-0-1598, BeautiTone

HAPPY HUE Beauti-Tone’s Warm Hugs is exactly that – a reddish pink warmed by a touch of orange that feels like a comforting embrace. On walls, it’s cheerful, rich and enveloping.

Umage’s Clava Dine PENDANT, $369, Nüspace, nuspace.ca.

Bayer CUSHION, $130 (sugg. retail), Renwil, renwil.com. Anco COUNTER CHAIR, $179, Article, article.com.

Grey has been a standby neutral for years now, but the new shade, exemplified by Sico’s Phenomenal Grey, is a warm, rich mix of grey and brown that, in a room, creates a calm, confident, refined air. A wonderful backdrop to light coloured objects.

Contour TABLE LAMP in Graphite and White Oak, $575, EQ3, eq3.com. Oliver’s Hartselle LOVESEAT, $1,549, Wayfair, wayfair.ca. Hotoco VASE, 10" h., $25, Amazon, amazon.ca.

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THE NEW GREY

PHENOMENAL GREY 6212-83, Sico

PALE MOON OC-108, Benjamin Moore

SOFT TOUCH Bright but not too bright, energetic but not over the top, Benjamin Moore’s Pale Moon is a lovely and luminous yellow.

Taaj SIDE TABLE, $149, EQ3, eq3.com. Fabrikör CABINET, $299, IKEA, ikea.ca. Glass TABLEWARE, from $10 each, Zara Home, zarahome.com.

Burnished Copper from Dulux captures our current love affair with earth tones, especially the beauty of unglazed terracotta earthenware. Imagine this shade in a dining room, creating a cocoon of coziness.

BURNISHED COPPER DLX1063-7, Dulux

EARTHY & ELEMENTAL

Noira PAINTING, $199, Mobilia, mobilia.com.

Hayden CHAIR, $89, Structube, structube.com.

Portrait RUG, 2Ð' x 8', $379, CB2, cb2.ca.

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Dream WEAVER Designer Natasha Penzo-McIntosh makes decorating magic in her little girl’s room.

TEXT MARTHA UNIACKE BREEN | PHOTOGRAPHY STEPHANI BUCHMAN

DESIGN, Natasha Penzo-McIntosh, Homekin.

WALLPAPER, Cole & Sons Fornasetti Nuvolette, Lee Jofa. BED (crib with conversion kit), wood beaded CHANDELIER, RH Baby + Child. SHEEP, Artifacts Lifestyle Shop. India Blush Pink BED LINENS, Matouk. STUFFED TOYS, Accents for Living.

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DECORATING

M

ore should be more when it comes to kids’ rooms, says Natasha Penzo-McIntosh. The reasoning? Kids stay little for such a short time, why not make their rooms dreamy?

Her three-year-old daughter Sofia’s room is certainly the stuff little girl’s dreams are made of, but thanks to her savvy mom, it’s a room she won’t soon outgrow. Lighter-than-air cloud wallpaper is sweetly sophisticated, and the velvet-upholstered bed was converted from Sofia’s former crib. Even the hand-painted desk will take Sofia right through elementary school. Sweet dreams are, indeed, made of this.

FOR SOURCES, SEE OUR WORKBOOK

Animal Crackers

“Every kid should have at least one animal in their room that’s familiar and makes them feel safe,” Natasha says. This room has a parade of them: not just Sofia’s beloved sheep, but a safari of elephants and giraffes on the window treatment, a pink cheetah-patterned rug, and a unicorn head – which is usually on the wall, but at bedtime somehow ends up in Sofia’s bed.

Custom AREA RUG, Stark Carpets. WINDOW COVERING FABRIC, Threadcount Textiles. FLORAL ARRANGEMENT, Natasha Penzo-McIntosh, Homekin. DESK, Pottery Barn. CUSTOM PAINT AND SILVER LEAFING (on desk), Paul Reinke Design. BASKET (on floor, sprayed in grey), Pottery Barn. CHAIR, Jacaranda Tree & Co.

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DECORATING

PLAY STATIONS DESIGN, Michelle Berwick, MB Design. CONSTRUCTION, The Holmes Group. Custom CABINETRY, Hartley Built.

DOOR HANDLES, Schlage.

Hello WALL SIGN, Niche Décor. BACKGROUND WALL PAINT, Chantilly Lace OC-55, COLOUR BLOCKING PAINTS, Summer Melon 2168-50, Saint Martin Sand 2164-50, Billowy Down 2064-70, Hale Navy HC-154, Benjamin Moore.

The basement of a Stouffville, Ont., bungalow goes from dreary concrete pit to colourful and creative kids’ space.

TEXT CHRISTY WRIGHT | PHOTOGRAPHY LARRY ARNAL

HIDDEN BEAUTY When a basement gives you a pipe you can’t move, make it a feature. Designer Michelle Berwick designed a bench to hide such a pipe, and the effect is cute and functional. Her departure from a lighter shade here is intentional. “Using a dark colour, like this blue, doesn’t mean the space will look smaller,” she says. “It feels just the opposite when it plays off the contrast of white.”

ALCOVE PAINT, Hale Navy HC-154, Benjamin Moore. Custom CANDY CART, Mike Holmes Jr., Rob Collier, The Holmes Group.

“ COME ON IN

How’s this for a warm welcome? Vibrant colour blocking and a purefun “hello” sign enliven the first wall you see when descending to the basement, signalling the whimsy that’s to come. “This wall treatment is creative, easy to do and inexpensive,” says Michelle. “It’s also a colourful antidote to the concrete jungle that was here before.”

Her skill at tricking the eye is already at play – did you notice the bulkhead on the right?

T

he elephant in the room was the ceiling,” says designer Michelle Berwick. “It was just over six feet at the highest point and 5-11 under the bulkheads.” Not exactly conducive to the expansive and bright playroom that owners Brittany and Wayne Young desired for their children (Livia, 5, and Tristan, 2). But Michelle was not deterred. Brought in by Mike Holmes’ construction team (who were transforming the dug-out concrete hole into a workable basement for an HGTV show, Holmes Family Rescue), Michelle was tasked with designing the 1,075-square-foot space.

“I needed to trick the eye away from those low ceilings and bulkheads, and relied on paint and decals to do so,” says Michelle. Her imaginative use of them, from unexpected applications to a riot of colours, elevated the subterranean space into a kids’ wonderland.

“They use it every day and night for crafts, playing, games,” she says. “It’s so fun. What little one wouldn’t want to hang out here?”

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DECORATING

HANGING OUT The owners wanted the children’s play areas to be soft and warm, so they opted for wall-to-wall carpeting. Because this is a place where paint, glue and slime are used liberally, Michelle topped the carpet with a rug that can easily be spot-cleaned and eventually switched out when necessary. The hanging chair (one of two) begs to be sat in, and the custom-made artwork reflects Tristan and Livia’s favourite things: Lego and unicorns.

Hanging CHAIRS, RUG, Wayfair.

CUSHIONS, Tonic Living. ART, The Modern Art Cartel.

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“The kids play and create here, so bright and fun wall treatments were a must.”

PRETTY PLACEMENT A floating console does more than amplify the setting’s airy look. “Custom built-in storage is the key to creating a clutter-free kids’ zone,” says Michelle. This one nicely fills in a small nook and harbours toys, games and craft supplies while providing a surface for pretty things.

The prettiness continues in zingy, painted-on rainbow stripes. “They keep the eye moving away from the lines of the bulkhead,” says Michelle.

STRIPED WALL PAINT, Purple Easter Egg 2073-50, Honolulu Blue 2066-60, Key Lime 2031-60, Sundance 2022-50, Melon Popsicle 2016-50, Light Chiffon Pink 2000-60, Benjamin Moore.

CREATIVE HUB The playful craft area inspires the imagination thanks to a mix of colourful chairs and the ingenious addition of pegboard, which keeps artistic supplies in plain view and easily accessible.

More grown-up design details delight, too. “Normally in spaces with low ceilings, you can’t accommodate decorative fixtures – it’s all pot lights,” says Michelle. “But I decided to sneak in a few pendants to up the pintsize space’s style factor and bounce light around the room.”

CEILING LIGHTS, PENDANTS, DVI Lighting. TABLE, CHAIRS, Structube.

PEGBOARD ORGANIZER, IKEA.

FOR SOURCES, SEE OUR WORKBOOK

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DECORATING

GAME ON!

The crowd and young players at designer Jennifer Backstein’s house goes wild for indoor hockey at home.

TEXT MARTHA UNIACKE BREEN PHOTOGRAPHY MIKE CHAJECKI

The rink is a huge hit not only with the kids and their friends but also with grownups – including owner Jennifer Backstein, who wasn’t much of a hockey fan before.

“It was a great way to do something fun and joyful during a sad time,” she says.

DESIGN, Jennifer Backstein Interiors. Vinyl WALLPAPER, Mr. Grafix. SYNTHETIC ICE, Glice.

BASEBOARD PAINT, Confident Yellow SW6911, UPPER RAIL PAINT, Blue Chip SW6959, Sherwin-Williams.

ABOVE Low-maintenance artificial ice, durable enough for ice skates (but also slippery enough for playing in socks, as Jennifer’s husband discovered), is the basis for the new design. For the walls, Jennifer had high-resolution photos of players (all Maple Leafs for her young Toronto fans) and cheering crowds mounted on vinyl wallpaper. Even the entry door was switched for a puck-proof, Plexiglas-topped “gate.”

W

hen Jennifer Backstein’s hockeyloving kids found themselves without a place to practise after the pandemic closed the local rink, the Toronto designer’s plan for turning their basement into a home gym got put on ice, you might say. Seeing her kids’ despondence at the loss of ice time – and the anxiety and enforced idleness that the pandemic engendered – she was inspired to create something more fun for them. “And once I got the idea, I decided to go to town on it,” says Jennifer, laughing. Hockey fans: welcome to the Backstein Basement League!

FOR SOURCES, SEE OUR WORKBOOK

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DECORATING

SHOPPING kids’ rooms Soothing colours, storage solutions and smartly designed furniture with a touch of whimsy – that’s how to blend fun and function when kitting out a space for kiddies.

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4 1 Rabbit CHAIR, $100, Bouclair, bouclair.ca. 2 Pinakle jute RUG, $160, Coco Village, ca.cocovillage.com.

3 Trollbo PENDANT, $30, IKEA, ikea.ca. 4 Kaarol RUG, $360, Buk & Nola, buknola.com. 5 Sweedi VANITY TABLE WITH STOOL, $260, SouthShore, southshorefurniture.com. 6 Three-Tier Hanging Wooden SHELF, $40, Bouclair, bouclair.ca. 7 Teepee BED, twin size, $350, Coco Village, ca.cocovillage.com. 8 Flowers WALL STICKERS, $60, Simons, simons.ca.

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9 Toy STORAGE, $645, Oeuf Canada, oeufcanada.com. 10 Penguin BASKET STORAGE, $40, H&M, hm.com. 11 Hockey Sticks LAMP, $70, Bouclair, bouclair.ca. 12 Sweedi KIDS’ TABLE AND CHAIRS, $225, SouthShore, southshorefurniture.com. 13 Lion RUG, $190, Buk & Nola, buknola.com. 14 Studio Roof’s Bird Observer Wall of Curiosities WALL DECOR, $68, Bref, brefmtl.com. 15 Summer Breeze DAYBED, $345, SouthShore, southshorefurniture.com.

16 Benji BED, $599, Structube, structube.ca. 17 Paper VASES AND FLOWERS KIT, $45, Simons, simons.ca. 18 Brooklyn DESK, $845, Oeuf Canada, oeufcanada.com.

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PHOTOGRAPHY, EYMERIC WIDLING PHOTOGRAPHY

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

GREEN ENERGY

In the midst of grey skies and white snowy expanses, the palette of a Canadian winter is relieved by green. Our dependable, much-loved conifers – spruce, pine, fir – dot the landscape, ever green, reminding us that seasons change and winter eventually gives way to spring. Why wait? Bring green – the colour of 2022 – to your rooms with plants, cut blooms and decorative accents. See green’s beauty, feel its energy.

HOMES

Breathing Space

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A designer and a doctor turn their Calgary new-build into a serene abode where they can unwind and recharge.

TEXT CHRISTY WRIGHT | PHOTOGRAPHY EYMERIC WIDLING PHOTOGRAPHY

“

I

wanted to create a polished space that was virtually impossible to feel stress in,” says designer Louis DuncanHe, who lives here with his husband, Donovan Duncan-He, a pediatric intensive care physician, and their mini goldendoodle, Archie. The couple had just purchased the 2,500-square-foot duplex, which appealed for many reasons: it was in the vibrant Marda Loop neighbourhood, it hadn’t been lived in, and it was airy and bright. Louis was drawn to the white walls – a soothing backdrop – but wanted to soften them a bit. “I knew panelling would put a slight Parisian kiss on the space and make it more calming so it wouldn’t read as too modern,” he says.

Designer Louis Duncan-He loved the intricate pattern of the kitchen’s backsplash and furthered its liveliness with brass pendant lights. “With all the black hardware, black lights would have been a little too heavy and stark here,” he says. The stools are the same style as the dining chairs but in pretty shades of blush and taupe velvet.

“I wanted to tone down the masculine quality of the black leather dining chairs, so went for softer material and more feminine shades.

I think the continuity in silhouette is a nice bridge between the two spaces.”

– TREND – STATEMENT BAR STOOLS

DESIGN, Louis Duncan-He Designs. ELECTRICAL, Adam Electrics. CUSTOM DRAPERY (except office), Calgary Window Fashions. DRAPERY FABRIC, Maxwell Fabrics. PLANTS, Artiplanto. PENDANT LIGHTS, FLOOR LAMP, Carrington Lighting. BAR CHAIRS, Rove Concepts.

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“At night, the chandelier looks ethereal and reminds me of the moon.”

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OPPOSITE Adding panelling to the dining area netted a more formal, Parisian feel, which Louis tempered with a rustic wooden table. The natural wood gives the elegant black leather chairs a more casual presence, while the globe chandelier bulbs play up its organic appeal.

Louis says, “The light fixture was definitely a splurge, but I love its soft, almost pearllike finish mixed with the sleek brass.”

CHANDELIER, Visual Comfort.

TABLE, Transformer Table.

CHAIRS, Rove Concepts. ARTWORK, Zoë Pawlak.

RIGHT Louis (pictured here) purchased this new cabinet for its vintage-look charm.

“It feels both natural and stylized, organic and chic,” he says. The couple use it as a liquor cabinet and bar top when they entertain. The built-in cabinetry was originally open, so Louis added the doors to “clean it up” and provide storage for less pretty things – the wovenmesh doors on the bottom hide wiring and media equipment while providing ventilation for electronics.

The painting here and the one in the dining room are

by Vancouver-based artist Zoë Pawlak.

CABINET, CB2. ARTWORK, Zoë Pawlak. DECANTERS, Crate and Barrel. VASE, CANDLESTICKS, Labode Shoppe.

Layering in green accents reminded Duncan of growing up in British Columbia, and looked fresh on the white background. “Green brings in a quiet quality that references forests and nature,” he says. “It also just felt serene to us and ended up working out well.”

Another big draw for Louis was the top floor. “It was wide and open, and I knew I could transform it into a design studio that was large enough for my team,” he says. The rest of the space required little, if any, change. In the kitchen, the island’s original glossy black lacquered base, which Louis deemed “a bit too luxe,” was switched out in favour of a natural wood finish. Overall, a focus on finishes and a smart edit of furnishings made the blank-canvas rooms come alive. “I didn’t want the design to be reliant on too many ‘things,’” says Louis. “I paid a lot of attention to beautiful light fixtures and creating depth on the walls. Our home now has the polish that we both appreciate but, more importantly, it is very calming and restorative.”

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“I wanted the studio space to be a relatively blank canvas to showcase work to clients. I love to mix tones and textures, which is why I chose a bouclé sofa and creamy shag rug.”

– TREND – BOUCLÉ SOFA

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Dark-green velvet drapery (brought from the couple’s former place in Montreal) adds a bit of richness to Louis’s sunny, top-floor studio space. “Because this is a working space, I wanted to keep the furniture multi-functional. I can easily pull apart the tables in the sofa area to create three additional seats for my team or for a casual discussion with a client,” he says. The work table can expand to seat up to 14 people, and the cabinetry contains the firm’s samples library. Hammered-gold pendant lights are a smart complement to the wood tones.

SOFA, Structube. SIDE TABLE, CF Interiors.

WORK TABLE, Transformer Table. RUG, Loiloi.

ARTWORK, Renwil. PENDANT LIGHT, Carrington Lighting.

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– TREND – TROPICAL PLANTS

“I love the balance of the organic and more stylized items in the office.”

“This office was designed as a birthday present for Donovan, my husband,” says Louis. “He didn’t want to play any part in it, so it was a nice surprise.”

Louis dubs the design direction as “transitional classic global.” He chose rich green tones and textured wallpaper because they pair well with the leathers and walnut wood.

“The space is meant to reflect his love of culture and travel,” says Louis. “He used to do a lot of work overseas, and I wanted to reference that in his personal space.”

Custom DESK, Louis Duncan-He Designs. CHAIR, Rove Concepts.

RUG, Colin Campbell. WALLPAPER, Walls Alive; INSTALLATION, Modern Wall Design. PENDANT, Carrington Lighting. DRAPERY, Pottery Barn. PLANT, Artiplanto.

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“We chose green as an accent colour for its restorative qualities - it feels natural and serene.”

– TREND – GREEN ACCENTS

The living room’s panelling was added for more than just Parisian flair. “The column here isn’t centred and there’s a weird lack of balance,” says Louis. “The panelling creates balance by giving the eye something beautiful to look at, while the dreamy white sheer drapery softens the space.” A large-scale sectional anchors the airy room, while the coffee table imparts an earthy, sculptural richness. The interesting artwork is a DIY of mosses glued onto a mirror, and the rug is actually carpet tiles.

SOFA, EQ3. ARMCHAIR, SIDE TABLE, COFFEE TABLE, CF Interiors. POUFS, CB2. Custom ROUND ARTWORK, Louis Duncan-He Designs. CARPET TILES, Flor Tile.

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“The bedroom instantly transports us to some of our favourite rooms at boutique hotels.”

ABOVE Louis kept the original wall tile in the powder room and decided to play up its rippled texture. “I thought this bold wallpaper had so much movement and interest along with lines that echoed the tile,” he says, explaining that it can be a fun challenge to design around existing elements.

RIGHT The bathroom was practically move-in ready – Louis loved the slightly polished sheen of the existing tiles – but for one addition.

“I added the shelves in the shower,” he says. “As much as we want things to look great, they have to be functional, and we just aren’t neat enough to keep all of our shower accessories looking perfect on the floor!” The tiny pedestal table and fresh flowers are a pretty foil to the black hardware.

Pink TABLE, CF Interiors.

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FOR SOURCES, SEE OUR WORKBOOK

“My husband and I were completely in agreement in wanting a bedroom that was both very chic but also super easy to maintain and keep up,” says Louis. To achieve that, he limited the furniture and used the walls to create interest. “The mural has a fluid watercolour effect, and it reminds me of the West Coast,” he says. “I wanted to balance and create the tension that I love by adding in an oversized grey velvet headboard.

And because we wanted the focus to be on the wall, instead of any artwork, I opted for two wall sconces in a really elegant silver.”

BED FRAME, HEADBOARD, Vant Panels. MURAL, Murals Wallpaper. MURAL INSTALLATION, Modern Wall Design.

END TABLES, CF Interiors. DRAPERY, Calgary Window Fashions. FABRIC, Maxwell Fabrics. WALL SCONCES, RH. FLORALS, Chintz & Company.

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HOMES

IT’S A COLOURFUL LIFE A designer’s love of colour, texture, and mid-century and modern furniture brings singular style to her home.

TEXT MARIE-HÉLÈNE GOULET AND KATHLEEN DORE PHOTOGRAPHY DREW HADLEY STYLING VALERIE GILBERT

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“The first thing you see when you come in the front door is this amazing colour. I could wrap myself in it,” says designer Karine Matte of her dining room. “I did a test patch first and asked my husband [Danick] what he thought, and he said, ‘Well, it’s peach.’ I said, ‘It’s not peach; it’s faded terracotta,’” she says, laughing.

“But truthfully, he loves it because he feels its effect.”

A prized mid-century credenza and a photograph of the Palm Springs, Calif., house where Elvis Presley honeymooned gives the room a Rat Pack meets Cali vibe. “I love the Southwest,” says Karine. “We always go to Palm Springs when we’re in California.”

DESIGN, Karine Matte, Matte & Glossy. LIGHT, West Elm. TABLE, IKEA. BIRD, Zone. Terra VASE, Anthropologie.

K

arine Matte has a lot of energy. While some of us kick back at night streaming the latest releases, she’s more likely to be painting a mural on her basement wall. “I change my decor a lot,” says the Quebec designer. “My home is my laboratory.

There’s always a project of the week happening.”

The house in Vieux-Longueuil, Que., which she shares with husband Danick Trahan and son Louis, 11, is a midcentury treasure that Karine fell for at first sight. “It was a carbon copy of my grandparents’ place. I fell in love with its energy,” she says. Dotted throughout, appropriately, is her collection of mid-century furnishings mixed with modern pieces. “I try to mix periods, textures and colour – it’s rich and compelling,” says Karine. Colour is a bit of a cause célèbre for the designer. “We need colour,” she says. “It’s colour that makes us feel good. I want everyone to embrace it.”

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And – bonus – the easiest way to get colour is paint, which is so simple to change. For this serial decorator, that’s key. Over the years, the dining room, for instance, had three incarnations (from grey to blue to green) before its current warm faded terracotta. “You know, I actually feel that colour,” says Karine, her enthusiasm palpable. And she wants everyone else to have that experience. “I want people to know that we need to feel colour – we need to see it and feel beauty at home.”

“I WANT PEOPLE TO REALIZE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE PANDEMIC WE’VE EXPERIENCED, THAT COLOUR IN OUR HOMES HAS SUCH A GOOD EFFECT ON OUR WELL-BEING.”

THIS PAGE Much-needed storage space for winter hats, mitts and boots was added in the front hall, where a colour block of yellow fights off the mid-winter blues like a burst of sunshine.

Hallway storage BOXES, IKEA. TILE, La Tuilerie.

OPPOSITE Lime wood planks grown locally and milled on an antique saw create texture and warmth on the living room wall.

“When it’s snowy and everything is white outside, and you have that warm wood inside, it brings a lot of good feelings,” says Karine. The rug was originally in son Louis’s room when he was a baby, but Karine “can’t get rid of it.” She still gravitates to its colours, which pop up throughout her home.

ARMCHAIR, SOFA, IKEA. RUG, HomeSense. TABLE, Urban Barn.

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Glass-front shelves were a natural choice for Karine, a born collector, who swears by her philosophy that if you display what you love, the arrangement will work. She has tips that are more pragmatic, too. Karine creates volume by placing objects of the same colour – like the encyclopedias – together. She arranges other books by size, preferring a gradual slant instead of rigidly grouping by the colour of the bindings. “Plus, my husband has a collection of books from the 1890s to 1920s, which are beautiful,” she says.

With objects, Karine mixes shapes.

To keep it cohesive, all her shelves are themed. “We have a wedding theme, for example, which has the vintage salt and pepper shakers that were on our table, the cake topper, and a vintage jewel box.”

– TREND – LIVE PLANTS

“MY BEST ADVICE FOR STYLING SHELVES IS TO INCLUDE OBJECTS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL SOMETHING. FOR ME, EACH OBJECT IS A MEMORY.”

ABOVE The fire-engine-red hand chair brings happy memories to Danick.

“The Gogo Lounge on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Montreal was his second home back in the day,” says Karine. “When it closed, the owners gave us one of their legendary chairs.”

Metal TABLE, West Elm. ACCESSORIES, Simons. BOOKCASE, IKEA.

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White and grey cabinetry in the kitchen creates a neutral buffer zone between the colourful dining and living areas in the open-concept bungalow. The upper cabinets had been Shaker-style (exactly the same as the grey cabinets), but their white finish had turned an unsightly yellow over time. Karine had new costeffective melamine cabinet doors wrapped in a white satin vinyl (the company coated the case units, as well), for a sleek look that marries well with the grey Shaker. Says Karine, “I hesitated to mix door styles, but I took a risk and I like it!” She painted the pendants to bring added oomph over the island.

CABINETRY, PENDANT LIGHTS, IKEA. CABINETRY RESURFACING, Wrap My Kitchen.

“WHEN THERE’S A LOT OF COLOUR GOING ON, YOU NEED A NEUTRAL ELEMENT. MY GREY AND WHITE KITCHEN IS A NEUTRAL BRIDGE BETWEEN THE LIVING AND DINING ROOMS.”

During the initial pandemic lockdown, Karine turned to creative endeavours to alleviate anxiety. In the primary bedroom, she painted a happy golden yellow arch behind the bed, which had the added effect of revitalizing the painted wood headboard. “The curves of the headboard and the addition of cobalt blue paint makes the piece look like Mexico, my favourite country,” she says.

Arch PAINT, India Yellow 66, Farrow & Ball.

LIGHTS, Luminaire Authentik. PILLOW, BEDDING, West Elm. HEADBOARD, Aube Design. ART, Anthropologie.

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“MEXICO IS A COUNTRY I LOVE, SO WHEN I’M IN OUR BEDROOM AND MY DRESSING ROOM, I FEEL LIKE I’M ON VACATION.”

ABOVE LEFT & BELOW Karine turned a spare bedroom into her own private dressing room. An oversize wallpaper print of tropical blue leaves and an image of the famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo pay homage to the country that stole Karine’s heart.

– TREND – ARCH SHAPE

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“MY SON ASKED FOR A BLACK AND WHITE ROOM, BUT I SNEAKED IN COLOUR WITH ACCESSORIES AND SMALLER FURNITURE.”

OPPOSITE Louis surprised his colour-loving mom by asking for a black and white room.

“It’s ironic,” she says, laughing. She complied with emphatic, bold patterns and – because she couldn’t resist – a dose of brilliant colour here and there.

BED, RUG, ARMCHAIR, IKEA. POSTER, Society6.

ACCESSORIES, Simons.

RIGHT “I thought it was such a boring space,” says Karine of the hallway leading to the bedrooms. “I felt it should be an area of transition, one that makes you want to go and explore the rest of the house.”

The teal doors and ceiling did the trick. “I didn’t like the old doors, but I didn’t want to throw them out, so by painting them this bright colour, you notice the colour first and not so much the style.”

ABOVE One tiny window in the entire basement was a sore point for Karine, who decided to bring the outdoors – southwestern-style – downstairs with a mural she made with leftover paint. “I wanted something dynamic,” she says. The pristine mid-century credenza is a curbside find. “I was shaking when I saw it!”

TURNTABLE, Urban Outfitters.

FOR SOURCES, SEE OUR WORKBOOK

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HOMES

MOD MODE Clean lines, natural materials and splashes of colour reinvigorate an eastend Toronto home, creating the perfect backdrop for a vibrant art collection.

TEXT CHRISTY WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY PATRICK BILLER

– TREND – NATURAL WOOD SLATS

A custom sectional in the living area offers ample seating for guests. Easy-to-move ottomans provide even more seating in a pinch. The designers ensured that the powder room door was seamless so it wouldn’t look out of place beneath the stairs. “We treated it with the good old Houdini combo of flat slab door, continuous baseboard, invisible hardware, a push latch, and drywall corners instead of casing,” says Brian.

DESIGN, Brian McCourt and Michayla Caughlin, Brian McCourt Design & Build. Custom SECTIONAL, Brian McCourt Design & Build.

CUSHION, COFFEE TABLE, OTTOMANS, Urban Mode. RUG, Elte Mkt. Grey OTTOMAN, Urban Mode. ARTWORK (by bench), Capitaine, Love&UGroup, D10 Art Space (Switzerland).

seamless powder room door

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LEFT A custom-made focal wall featuring 1.5-inch solid wood slats laid on rift-sawn oak plywood presides over the dining area. There’s a dynamic tension between its strict lines and the organic curves of the chairs. To avoid a wood overload, designers Brian McCourt and Michayla Caughlin opted for a custom concrete table with plenty of seating for entertaining. With salvaging in mind, the designers sanded down the original dark, glossy floors. “It was a complete surprise to discover that they were beautiful hickory,” says Brian, who opted for a natural stain to enhance the grain. The graphic artwork injects a contemporary presence.

WALL PAINT, Oxford White CC-30, Benjamin Moore. All TILES, Eurotile. DESIGN (dining room oak wall, kitchen cabinetry, walk-in closet), Brian McCourt Design & Build. Custom DINING TABLE, Touchstone Architecture. DINING CHAIRS, Design Within Reach. White VASE, HomeSense.

D

avid Forestell likes a Mid-Century Mod look. His partner leans toward a “modern glamour” aesthetic. Their house, when they purchased it in 2019, had neither. To remedy this, and its 2,000 square feet of dated materials, the couple hired designers Brian McCourt and Michayla Caughlin. “We were excited to create a space that would reference the couple’s styles, showcase their art, and reflect both their passion for entertaining and for detailed finishes,” says Brian. Most of the original finishes, though only a decade old, were poorly installed and had to be demolished. After that, tweaking the floor plan (extending the kitchen, converting a bedroom into a walk-in closet) and layering in custom features and thoughtful decor throughout achieved the desired effect.

The art-filled space is now ideal for entertaining and combines a midcentury-meets-minimal vibe with upscale materials and splashes of glam colour. In other words, a perfect mix for the couple that lives here.

The 42-inch-wide powder room has punchy plumbing.

FAUCETS, PLUMBING, Rubinet. ART, Idania del Rio, Clandestina Gallery.

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“The dining room is the leading lady of the ball, so we wanted to keep things extremely simple in the kitchen,” says Brian. The mostly white space is enlivened with pink tiles, chosen by the owners, and the extra-wide island features oak cabinets stained to match the floor. The faucet has a jewel-like effect.

“Since there’s no cabinetry hardware, we had the luxury of selecting any finish we wanted,” says Michayla. “Rose gold was an accent on the owners’ wedding day, so we went with that.” The “abstract” art is by Brian’s fouryear-old son, Calvin, who used drywall mud and paint.

FAUCET, Wayfair. BAR STOOLS, Rove Concepts.

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The designers created a snug lounge zone between the kitchen and living areas and right beside the dining room. It serves as an after-dinner cocktail space when entertaining.

A custom-made sofa complements the owners’ chairs.

The in-between space is defined by a colourful rug, and a contemporary floor lamp ensures soft, flattering light.

ARTWORK, Gold in the Morning by Alfredo Jaar, Galeria Animal (Chile). RUG, Elte.

– TREND – SHADES OF GREEN

“Dave is super dapper and loves fashion, so the closet design was as important as the kitchen’s. He even counted all of his ties so we could build slots for them.” – Brian McCourt

OPPOSITE Photographic art exudes energy in the primary bedroom. “Dave’s photographer friend took it on a whim when he saw a skateboarder passing by,” says Brian. “He captured the skater in a single frame.” Its splash of colour is picked up in the sheets. “Usually, you see the pattern and interest on the duvets and pillows, but we wanted to invert that idea and show some colour in an unexpected way,” Michayla says. The nubby rug and fabric chair are plush foils to the sleek space.

Skater ARTWORK, Pablo Godoy.

SCONCE, Luminaire Authentique. BED, Rove Concepts. CHAIR, TABLE, Urban Mode. BEDDING, OTTOMAN, Elte Mkt. RUG, West Elm.

LEFT The primary bedroom’s walk-in closet melds bespoke design with a budget-friendly material. “It’s actually melamine, which is a great cost saver, but it has the same texture and look as oak,” says Michayla. Black accent bars dress it up, and decorative touches, such as art, books and greenery, make it feel like a special room.

Closet RUG, black VASE, Elte Mkt.

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“There wasn’t enough room for two vanity sinks, so we worked in a trough sink – its elongated shape feels expansive and it’s a smart option for a smaller space.” – Michayla Caughlin

LEFT “For visual interest, we wanted a real sense of division between the tub and the shower in the small primary bathroom,” says Michayla. They chose large black tiles to demarcate the tub and vanity area and white penny rounds for the shower – a nice contrast linked by dark grout.

Storage is generous thanks to the custom-designed vanity and medicine cabinet. The matte-finish tub was a splurge.

TUB, FAUCETS, Roman Bath.

OTTOMAN, CB2.

RIGHT The owners wanted the new shower to have a ledge for live plants. “Our goal was to keep that unique feature the focus,” says Brian. With that in mind, he and Michayla positioned the shower niche a little lower than usual. It corrals soap and shampoo without drawing attention away from the greenery.

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“Two mirrors create spaces that are easily shared yet defined, while the sconces are the cherries on top of this cute, functional vanity wall.”

– Brian McCourt

LEFT The designers needed to add very little to the second floor’s combo home office and guest room. “We think it is such a smart design and it’s all of the owners’ furniture.

Because it’s pretty neutral, we decided to layer in some custom colours with the fun light fixture,” says Brian.

Office CEILING LIGHT, Luminaire Authentique. RUG, HomeSense.

THIS PAGE The guest bathroom’s contemporary black shower tiles were freshened up with a playful chevron-pattern placement. The light-coloured vanity is an airy contrast that’s heavy on storage. Brian says, “We kept it simple but there are spots to display attractive, utilitarian items, as well as lots of practical closed storage – a nice mix of what we want and what we need.”

SCONCES, EQ3. MIRRORS, CB2.

SINKS, FAUCETS, Roman Bath.

HARDWARE, Richelieu.

FOR SOURCES, SEE OUR WORKBOOK

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REPRINTED FROM FIX IT WITH FOOD: EVERY MEAL EASY, COPYRIGHT © 2021 BY MICHAEL SYMON AND DOUGLAS TRATTNER. PHOTOGRAPHS COPYRIGHT © 2021 BY ED ANDERSON. ILLUSTRATIONS COPYRIGHT © 2021 BY STANLEY CHOW. PUBLISHED BY CLARKSON POTTER, AN IMPRINT OF RANDOM HOUSE.

FOOD

CRISPY BROWN RICE AND CAULIFLOWER WITH FRIED EGGS (PAGE 94)

BAKED SWEET POTATO WITH KALE AND WALNUT PESTO (PAGE 94)

Fix It with Food: Take 2 Fix It with Food: Every Meal Easy is chef Michael Symon’s second book of recipes for people with autoimmune disorders. That’s why most recipes serve only one. But fair warning, they’re so yum, folks will want you to share.

RECIPES MICHAEL SYMON AND DOUGLAS TRATTNER PHOTOGRAPHY ED ANDERSON

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CRISPY BROWN RICE AND CAULIFLOWER WITH FRIED EGGS SERVES 1

¼ 3 ½ 1

small head cauliflower, broken into florets tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided cup cooked brown rice tsp grated fresh turmeric or ⅓ tsp ground turmeric ¼ tsp cayenne pepper 1 garlic clove, grated 1 tsp grated fresh ginger Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 scallions, thinly sliced 2 large eggs 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro Lime wedge, for serving Hot sauce, for serving In a blender or food processor, pulse the cauliflower until the mixture has the consistency of rice. Set a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat to shimmering.

Add the brown rice, cauliflower rice, turmeric and cayenne and stir to combine, then shake the skillet to spread the mixture out into an even layer. Cook, without stirring, until the bottom gets crispy, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle the garlic and ginger across the top and season with a pinch of salt and a twist of pepper.

Remove from the heat, stir in the scallions and set aside.

Set a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and heat to shimmering. Carefully crack the eggs into the pan and cook until the whites begin to brown around the edges, about 2 minutes. Add the cilantro and season with a pinch of salt and a twist of pepper. Remove from the heat, add 1 tablespoon of water, cover, and let steam for 30 seconds for runny yolks, 1 minute for medium-set yolks, and 1½ minutes for fully set yolks. Place the brown rice and cauliflower on a plate, top with the eggs, and serve with a lime wedge and hot sauce.

BAKED SWEET POTATO WITH KALE AND WALNUT PESTO SERVES 1

1 1 2

cup walnuts large sweet potato cups roughly chopped kale leaves and tender stems 1 garlic clove, sliced ¾ cup faux Parmesan cheese 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 94 |

STYLEATHOME.COM JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Arrange the walnuts on a sheet pan and cook until lightly toasted, about 8 minutes. Transfer the walnuts to a cutting board, and when cool enough to handle, roughly chop and set aside.

Increase the oven temperature to 425°F. Line a sheet pan with foil.

Pierce the sweet potato with a fork or paring knife a few times and roast on the lined pan until it is easily pierced with a knife, about 1 hour. In a blender or food processor, pulse the kale, garlic and walnuts until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs.

Add the faux Parmesan. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream. Transfer to a bowl and season with a pinch of salt and a twist of pepper. Slice the sweet potato down the middle to open, top with pesto to taste, and serve. Reserve any remaining pesto for other uses. Store it in the fridge for up to 1 week.

CHICKEN PAILLARD WITH GREEN PAPAYA SALAD SERVES 2

2

boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger Grated zest of 1 lime 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Juice of 2 limes 1 tbsp fish sauce 1 tbsp light brown sugar 2 cups shredded green papaya or green mango 1 jalapeno, seeded and thinly sliced ¼ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped 2 tbsp unsalted roasted peanuts 1 cup mung bean sprouts Place the chicken breasts on a large sheet of plastic wrap and cover with a second sheet.

Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken to an even ½-inch thickness. Place the chicken in a gallon-size zip-top bag. In a medium bowl, whisk together the ginger, lime zest and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Pour the marinade over the chicken and refrigerate for up to 1 hour.

Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the bag, allowing most of the marinade to drip off (discard the marinade). Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper, place on the grill and cook until nicely charred, about 5 minutes.

Flip the chicken and continue cooking until the other side is also nicely charred, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar and remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the papaya, jalapeno, cilantro, peanuts and bean sprouts, season with a pinch of salt and a twist of pepper, and toss to combine. Transfer the salad to plates. Slice the chicken and serve on top of the salads.

“This isn’t a diet book.

The goal isn’t to cut calories, carbs, or fat.

The purpose of this cookbook is to give you the tools to identify your personal inflammation triggers and then to provide healthy, delicious recipes that avoid those foods.”

– Michael Symon

Find more inspiring, healthy recipes in Fix It with Food: Every Meal Easy by Michael Symon, Clarkson Potter, $43.

FOOD CHICKEN PAILLARD WITH GREEN PAPAYA SALAD

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