Home In Canada - Montreal - Summer 2019

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SUMMER ISSUE

GARDENS TO GAZE AT Three superbly designed landscapes

AL FRESCO FURNISHINGS

How to decorate an outdoor room

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FAMILY COTTAGE

Toronto terraces designed for entertaining

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EDITOR’S LETTER

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IT IS INTERESTING THAT HUMANS are It doesn’t take acres of land to put us in so cut off from the natural world that a sim- touch with the earth. Even in a city, we can ple walk in the woods is now called “forest touch Mother Nature in a small parcel of bathing.” And having one’s bare feet firmly backyard. The owners of a Toronto townhouse planted on terra firma or pressing one’s back hired designer Lisa Aiken to create two little against a tree trunk is called “earthing.” oases: one on each of their two patios. Read These are trendy terms for simply being in Phillipa Rispin’s profile of these lovely spaces the natural world and deriving the health on page 80. benefits that accrue from getting in touch If you’re planning to create a garden this with Mother Nature. summer, do read Tracey MacKenzie’s advice Gardeners have long understood the thera- for using feng shui principles in your landpeutic value of putting their hands into the scape. Just as we want energy to flow smoothly earth. Spend an afternoon planting vegetables in our homes, this feng shui master says, we or pruning shrubs and you’re likely to be a lot must also facilitate its flow in our outdoor happier and healthier than if you’d spent the spaces.

Tracey also updates us on all the latest fursame time driving in a traffic jam.

This issue is all about outdoor living and nishings and accessories to make our outdoor why it’s so therapeutic at a time when most rooms as comfortable and inviting as their of us live in urban environments defined by indoor counterparts. concrete and asphalt.

There’s a little paving stone in my own The owners of the gardens profiled for this garden – a gift from neighbours – that says: issue by Cheryl Cornacchia wanted landscapes “Hope never dies in a true gardener’s heart.” that would allow them to get in touch with the My heart is always full of hope at this time earth. With the help of their designers, that’s of year. I fervently hope that the many vegetables I plant will actually make their way to what they got.

One Eastern Townships landscape, Cheryl my table at the end of the growing season. In writes, was forged out of a flood-prone lot that the past, I have found some vegetables more had to be remediated before it could be plant- challenging to grow than others. Carrots, for ed. Another, though small, is an English-style instance, often don’t germinate for me. That’s garden in Vancouver, full of sensuous flowers why I begin every season in a state of hope and and shrubs that bloom all season long. Both of anticipation. these landscapes are soothing environments I know, however, that even my gardening for their owners. failures cannot diminish the joy I feel and the Another garden profiled in this issue en- health benefits I receive from touching the circles an 1847 plantation-style house in West- earth. Perhaps we gardeners should start a new mount, and it offers its owner English-style trend, called “garden bathing.” Could this be a plantings and patios designed for entertaining new movement? and family meals. It was a perfect setting for get-togethers with friends and family when the owner’s son got married last year.

There are several ways you can stay in touch with us: @homeincanada @athomeincanada

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THE SUMMER ISSUE

STEPHANIE WHITTAKER Editor-in-Chief stephanie@homeincanadamagazine.ca

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CONTRIBUTORS

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CHERYL CORNACCHIA Cheryl Cornacchia is a Toronto-born, Montreal-based writer.

After retiring from the Montreal Gazette, she returned to school to study horticulture. Writing and garden design are her twin passions. In this issue, Cheryl profiles two landscapes: A quaint English cottage garden in Vancouver and an expansive garden in the Eastern Townships, designed to blend into the surrounding natural terrain.

ANGUS M C RITCHIE Australian-born Angus McRitchie became a photographer after studying fashion in Milan. His love of design led him to lifestyle and interiors photography. He feels fortunate to have photographed “everything from Moroccan palaces to Toronto condos for clients that include Elle, Monocle, Vogue Living and many others,” he says. Angus also has a passion for gardens, and enjoys “passing a few hours in the golden light of an early summer morning taking photographs, accompanied by birdsong.” The Eastern Townships garden he photographed for this issue “was a perfect melding of sophisticated pool-landscaping integrated into the surrounding garden,” he says.

BRANDON BARRÉ Brandon Barré is an architectural photographer originally from Canada’s West Coast who now calls Toronto home. “I had the pleasure of shooting Lisa Aiken’s awesome urban hideaway in this issue,” he says. “Her gorgeous design in this idyllic backyard setting was a wonderfully peaceful place in which to spend the summer afternoon and evening, camera (and cocktail) in hand.”

SUSAN KELLY Montreal writer and astrologer Susan Kelly looks to the future in this issue, profiling two homes that take the long view on design. “I was excited to see the imaginative approaches the designers took to creating timeless spaces that will grow with the families who live there,” she says. In our astrology column, Susan provides insight into how to have a “chill” summer, along with the hottest outdoor-living trends. Her weekly forecasts appear on Facebook at Susan Kelly Astrology.

KAREN SEIDMAN It’s the time of year when Canadians become obsessed with the amount of sunshine (or the disappointing lack thereof) that we get during the few fair-weather months we have. Veteran news reporter Karen Seidman loved how the sunny-yellow accent colour used by a young Toronto couple in their home’s redesign infused the space with great warmth (along with the gorgeous wood floors and cabinetry). “Lisa Lev, the designer on the renovation project, says yellow is her favourite accent colour in family homes, as it’s ‘bright and happy and fun,’” Karen says.

“A dose of sunshine to brighten the soul.”

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STYLING Lisa Aiken Geneviève Boutin Chad Falkenberg Tara Finlay Valérie Gilbert Lisa Lev Veronica Martin Dvira Ovadia Rutnaish Prihar CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Azrieli CONTROLLER Jenny Marques DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Artur Kozyra DIRECTOR OF SALES - NATIONAL Kelly Chicoine ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE Caroline Rho For sales inquiries, please email Kelly Chicoine: kelly@homeincanadamagazine.ca or Caroline Rho: caroline@homeincanadamagazine.ca To subscribe go here: www.athomeincanada.ca/ print-subscription LEGAL DEPOSIT 1927-324x Home In Canada Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Any copying or reproduction of content without the written permission of Home In Canada is strictly prohibited. issn

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CONTENTS

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16 ON THE COVER ENGLISH-GARDEN STYLE

This Vancouver landscape is lush with classic cottage-garden plants

26 LANDSCAPE FOR LEISURE

A restored historic home in Westmount is given gardens and patios designed for summer outdoor living

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE A couple who are sports fans design their condo around television-viewing

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SLIGHTLY SEPARATE A pair of dilapidated semi-detached houses are transformed into unique industrial-rustic creations

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CONTENTS

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KICKING BACK AT THE LAKE A Toronto family builds a cottage in the Kawarthas and visits it as much as possible

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EDITOR’S LETTER

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THIS JUST IN A selection of new items for your home

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BACKYARD BLISS How to furnish your outdoor rooms for maximum enjoyment this summer

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HOW TO HAVE A HARMONIOUS LANDSCAPE Applying feng shui principles in a garden can create a beautiful, serene outdoor space

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EASY DOES IT This summer’s astrological alignments foster the time and energy to chill

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ATYPICAL TASTES Homeowners with an eye for the unusual renovate their home with unique design

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MODEST BUT MARVELLOUS A before-and-after transformation of a small-size condo

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THE FAMILY HOME A design-savvy boutique owner transforms her childhood home into an oasis for her growing family

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PICTURE THIS A designer is inspired by her own photography when designing her family home in Oakville, Ontario

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Two terraces behind a Forest Hill home are designed for family life and entertaining

REBRANDING THE FAMILY COTTAGE

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A PLACE FOR REST AT DAY’S END A home gets new bedrooms to welcome the owners after their busy workdays

An architect transforms his 19th century farmhouse in rural Quebec into a modern, rustic retreat

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WHAT’S IN STORE Shopping in person allows us to experience products in a sensory way

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EARTH WORKS A property in the Eastern Townships that is prone to water problems gets a spectacular new garden

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T H IS JUST IN CHILL OUT Stay cool in summer’s heat thanks to the Rabbit freezable cocktail maker. It allows you to prepare refreshing cocktails by pouring your favourite drink into the carafe, putting it in the freezer, mixing, and pouring. Makes four to six servings of deliciously cold libations.

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LANDSCAPE

IN AN ENGLISH GARDEN

This Deering Island, Vancouver landscape on the banks of the Fraser River is lush with classic cottage-garden plants

BY CHERYL CORNACCHIA PHOTOGRAPHY: GLENNA PARTRIDGE

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LANDSCAPE • HOME IN CANADA • SUMMER 2019

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LANDSCAPE

THE SMALL YARD was a natural fit for an English cottage garden. It backed directly onto a protected channel of the Fraser River in Vancouver’s quaint Deering Island neighbourhood and was surrounded by country-like properties. The yard was bathed in full sun and boasted a charming clapboard garden shed and wood-plank walkway that wended to the water’s edge. An English cottage garden and its dense plantings guaranteed a non-stop succession of flowers from March through October - just what the property owners wanted.

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“The cottage style really suited the space and the clients,” says Glenna Partridge, the Vancouver garden designer who created the garden in 2012 and has been adding new and interesting flowering plants to it every year since. “It’s quite a tiny garden but it has layers upon layers,” she adds, enthusiastically.

“There’s always lots blooming.”

While her clients gave her carte-blanche on the design, she explains, they did ask for one thing: Flowers, flowers and more flowers.

(Above) Lavender ‘Goodwin Creek’, and loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) bring a burst of midsummer colour to the garden shed. (Above, left) Sea holly (Eryngium), David Austin roses, and shasta daisies meet up at the water’s edge.

LANDSCAPE • HOME IN CANADA • SUMMER 2019

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“People think you just plant a bunch of plants and it’s a cottage garden. But with any cottage garden, it’s about coordinating your blooms.”

To that end, Partridge says, she chose and planted hundreds of flowering plants of various heights, shapes, growing styles and bloom times so that the homeowners, who spend their winters in California, would, upon their return home in March, enjoy a succession of blooms – waves of pinks, blues, purples, whites and yellows – into the fall.

As is the case with most cottage gardens, the overall look is a casual tumble of flowering plants, haphazard almost; but the informal appearance belies the planning that went into the landscape. For structure, the designer says, the borders were widened around the yard’s tiny patch of lawn to create space for an array of shrubs and flowers, the heights of which are staggered. A Japanese maple was planted close to the house to create a leafy canopy that gently shades the patio.

Broadleaf shrubs, which remain green yearround, were another important addition to the borders. Their foliage fills the space once the flowers finish. Camellia japonica, a broadleaf evergreen with rose-like pink blooms, fills that bill along with boxwoods. –>

A standard tree form of yellow lantana, a tropical perennial, cozies up with lime-green Ipomea batatas, white pelargoniums, Dichondra ‘Silver Falls,’ coleus, and calibrachoa in an earthenware pot. Weekly fertilizing with 15-30-15 keeps the flowers blooming.

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LANDSCAPE

Tall earthenware pots were placed throughout the garden, including one on each side of the garden shed’s French doors, drawing the eye up and providing further interest. Alongside the shed, Buddleia davidii, a flowering shrub commonly called butterf ly bush, is underplanted with sedums, irises, grasses and a few annuals.

“People think you just plant a bunch of plants and it’s a cottage garden,” says Partridge, the owner of the eponymously named Glenna Partridge Garden Design, a firm she started more than two decades ago. Cottage gardens are wonderful, she says, because

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the dense plantings limit the exposed soil, reducing the need to weed. And the close proximity of the plants cuts down on the need for staking. “But with any cottage garden,” Partridge says, “it’s about coordinating your blooms.”

In this garden, spring begins with tulips, narcissus and crocuses, all of which are planted in the earthenware pots. They are soon followed by hellebores – in pinks and whites – which pop up in the borders in late February or early March and stay in bloom until the end of April. It isn’t long before the arrival of euphorbia, which bears chartreuse-coloured

New borders on both sides of the woodplank walkway that wends to the water’s edge soften the landscape and give the property its cottage-garden feel.

flowers. After that, there’s soon fresh foliage in the form of dozens of hostas in various varieties, and hebes, an interesting but often-overlooked evergreen shrub. –>

LANDSCAPE • HOME IN CANADA • SUMMER 2019

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A lean-to greenhouse on the side of the house is filled with an array of plants, including herbs and fruit trees, passion flowers, and Senecio rowleyanus, a succulent vine commonly called string-of-pearls.

(Bottom left) Plantings include Astelia chathamica, trailing coleus, Bacopa, and golden oxalis.

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LANDSCAPE

Clumps of English lavender ‘Hidcote’ and shasta daisies dominate the perennial border in mid-summer. The garden beds are fortified with forest compost and sea soil.

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LANDSCAPE • HOME IN CANADA • SUMMER 2019

Then it’s summer: Standard roses, three varieties of hydrangeas, including hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’, lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis), lavender, salvias, sedums, and cimicifuga with burgundy leaves. This year, Partridge says, she is adding night phlox (Zaluzianskya capensis ‘Midnight Candy’), which has phosphorescent flowers and is wildly fragrant in the evenings.

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In addition to flowering shrubs and perennials, Partridge says, she relies on annuals to add even more colour and interest. Coleus, purple fountain grass, Love-in-a-Mist (voracious self-seeders with white, pink and cornflower-blue flowers), ceanothus, calibrachoa and agapanthus are among the annuals she uses in this garden. Gardeners with healthy plant budgets can also use tropical plants, she

says, noting that lantana, a fragrant flowering plant with umbel-shaped blooms, is often on her list. She says cottage gardens offer homeowners an opportunity to experiment and reap spectacular results.

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LANDSCAPE

A GRANDE DAME IS BACK IN HER ELEMENT

A historic Montreal Island home gets the landscape setting it deserves

BY PHILLIPA RISPIN PHOTOGRAPHY: JEAN BLAIS

ONCE UPON A TIME (1847), high on the slopes of Westmount, a unique house was built: a Regency-style plantation home. This architectural grande dame featured wraparound balconies that afforded it sweeping vistas over its land on all sides, with the most spectacular view down the hillside to the St. Lawrence River. Over the next century and a half, its fortunes rose and fell – mostly fell, alas, as alterations and neglect of the house and the sell-off of surrounding land left it, ultimately, a raddled old dame in tight quarters. –>

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LANDSCAPE • HOME IN CANADA • SUMMER 2019

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LANDSCAPE

The east side of the house overlooks the steep driveway (screened by trees on the right in this picture) and what the homeowner calls her “English garden.” The formerly covered basement windows are now revealed by the paved sunken pathway around the house’s perimeter.

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“I’m really proud of having uncovered those windows.”

LANDSCAPE • HOME IN CANADA • SUMMER 2019

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The round patio on the east side is sheltered by the drive’s retaining wall and feels private.

Strategic plantings are what give the space the soft, casual feeling of an English garden.

That old dame was rescued 165 years later by a devotee of architecture and design and, after several years and much effort expended, once again looks truly like the grande dame it is. But what to do about the severely reduced land surrounding it? The homeowner hired Myke Hodgins, principal landscape architect at HETA (Hodgins et associés architectes paysagistes), to make the setting worthy of the home.

“It was a challenge,” says Hodgins. “This magnificent house had had nearly all its property sold off. There was just a front little strip of land, with the sides the same. What

had been a beautiful garden was just vestiges of leftovers of the property.”

The landscape architect and the homeowner decided to make “a series of beautiful spaces that would make a necklace around the house,” as Hodgins describes it.

On the approach up the driveway, which ends in a brick-paved courtyard, the scene is set. “We used pavers to create an exterior vestibule, so the driveway looks more like carpet than asphalt,” Hodgins says. “The clay brick pavers are made for this climate, and there’s a richness to their colours.” –>

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LANDSCAPE

To the east side of the house, which is bordered by the driveway, the ground slopes down. The true height of the house is revealed in the windows of the finished basement.

For some reason, the grounds had been built up and they covered nearly all of the basement windows by the time the current homeowner bought the house. Discovering windows behind walls in the basement, she had the entire perimeter excavated to reveal them. This makes the garden seem even more sunken and private.

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“I’m really proud of having uncovered those windows,” she says. It not only restores the original design of the house; it also makes the basement a thoroughly liveable space.

Down some steps from the driveway, the homeowner has what she calls her “English garden” – a small round patio snugged up against the boulders of a retaining wall and close to the side of the house. Hodgins notes that “the English garden looks English in that it’s casually planted, but it’s actually strategically planted to look soft and natural.” It makes a quiet little area for relaxing alone or with a friend.

The view from the east-side main-floor level of the house’s wraparound balcony shows how the ground slopes steeply down the hillside. A stairway from a basement door under the balcony gives access to the English garden’s patio.

LANDSCAPE • HOME IN CANADA • SUMMER 2019

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French doors on the main level of the house’s south side lead ultimately to a paved terrace. The homeowner hosted several celebrations around her elder son’s wedding last year, and the various seating areas outdoors and inside easily accommodated guests.

On the long, south side of the house that looks down the hillside toward the St. Lawrence River is the main entertaining area, a large terrace. The principal access is from the living room through French doors onto the lower porch, then down a few steps onto the terrace. “It’s a graceful way of getting into the landscape,” says Hodgins. “It makes the space not feel small. We played with the psychology of the design, to create a bit of mystery.” –>

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LANDSCAPE

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The west side of the garden is the location of the swimming pool and the patio that is used for al fresco cooking and dining.

The pool is one of the homeowner’s main pleasures during the summer. “It’s my favourite aspect of the garden,” she says.

Along the other short side of the house, the west side, is the swimming pool and cooking patio. “My favourite aspect of the garden is the pool,” the homeowner says. “I’m in the pool every day in summer. I love it.”

She describes the outdoor kitchen as “perfectly functional. It has a sink that works. It has a barbecue that works. It has even a tiny little fridge.” She adds wryly, “Somebody who is actually a cook would love it” and then continues “I’ve had dinners there that were marvellous.”

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The patio features a spectacular concrete table with a multicolour mosaic surface, which the homeowner bought at an arts festival in Salt Lake City. “That table is fabulous.

It has a place for ice and it has a Lazy Susan. It cost more to bring it from Utah than the table itself cost,” she says with that amused wryness again in her voice.

The actual landscaping was done in earnest in 2018, but the current plantings are already revealing the welcoming space that the garden will become in its maturity.

LANDSCAPE • HOME IN CANADA • SUMMER 2019

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The west-side patio has a functioning kitchen, complete with sink, fridge and barbecue. It features a standout table of concrete and metal with a colourful mosaic surface, and benches to match.

The homeowner is allergic to bee stings, so there are no flowers except for lilacs. “In spite of my allergies, I cannot bear to live without lilacs,” she says.

Other plants are mostly evergreens or colourful shrubs and trees, including Japanese maples. “We played a lot with colour and textures of foliage,” Hodgins says. “As things were discovered and opportunities were seen, the original design evolved. It’s a cool living space.”

The homeowner agrees: “It’s a great backyard,” she says. “I like that it’s divided into purposes because those are otherwise

challenging spaces – they’re very narrow.”

When her elder son got married last September, the homeowner had several appealing spaces for outdoor entertaining. “I had a shower for the bride one afternoon, and it was lovely. Then I held a brunch the morning after the wedding. The caterer loved my outdoor kitchen, and everybody had different places to eat.”

Harking back to the idea of adorning the grande dame that is the house, Hodgins says, “Each jewel on the necklace has its own specific identity, and it all fits and flows together.”

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DESIGN

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A BEAUTIFUL ANTIDOTE

TO URBAN LIFE A Toronto family builds their dream cottage in the Kawarthas and spends as much time there as possible

BY ELISABETH KALBFUSS PHOTOGRAPHY: VALERIE WILCOX STYLING: DVIRA OVADIA

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DESIGN • HOME IN CANADA • SUMMER 2019

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DESIGN

FOR YEARS, A TORONTO COUPLE heard their friends’ stories about cottage life – family bonding, campfires, water skiing.

They grew up in Irish and Italian immigrant families, so “the cottage” wasn’t part of their experience, but they were eager to embrace it with their own three children.

One happy summer as they were enjoying a rental on Crystal Lake in the Kawarthas, they spotted a small single-storey cottage for sale nearby. “It was yellow, old and beaten up, and the landscaping was terrible,” says the homeowner. “But my husband said we had to have it, so we jumped in and bought it.”

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They gave away the old house, which saved on demolition costs, and built a new one on that same footprint, with design help from Dvira Ovadia, principal designer of Dvira Interiors. They added a second storey to house four bedrooms and two bathrooms, and a full basement, tripling the original 900-squarefoot floor plan. Then they tacked an enclosed porch onto the main floor.

“The homeowner’s style is very relaxed and casual. She likes good-quality, beautiful products but wanted a natural look with no bronze or severe metals,” Ovadia says. “A lot of cottages today are glamorous; they look like a city home. She already has a beautiful home. She wanted rustic-looking, distressed and very relaxed.”

A walnut kitchen island contrasts with the white cabinetry, white paint and grey barnwood cladding on the walls. Stone backsplash tiles: Cascade Fossil collection by Erth Coverings; pendant light: Pottery Barn.

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“We wanted a place we would want to come to, that would stand the test of time.”

The main floor includes the open-plan kitchen, living and dining rooms, as well as a powder room and a separate laundry/storage room – complete with two wine fridges – off the main entrance. Ovadia chose a high-quality laminate f loor throughout, rather than hardwood, for its practicality and durability.

In the kitchen, to contrast with the white walls and Shaker-style cabinets, she installed a walnut island that stands out from the neutral palette around the home’s perimeter. The backsplash is stone tile, adding texture and keeping with the overall natural design motif. –>

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The main living area includes a large stone fireplace, and it has barnwood-clad walls.

Ovadia describes the decor as very mix and match, old and new, with many of the pieces sourced from vintage shops. The dining table needed to be large enough for guests, and though it’s new, it looks as though it might have come from a long-ago farmhouse; downstairs, there are old school-house chairs at the craft table. The reds and blues on the antique maps of North America and the world inspired her as she chose accent colours.

Drapery and upholstery fabrics were chosen in linen, burlap and similar materials for their natural look and texture.

“We wanted it to be comfortable, cozy, a family-friendly place,” says the homeowner. “I don’t want to care where the kids are eating or how they’re using the furniture. We wanted a place we would want to come to, that would stand the test of time, and where we could retire to one day.”

A combination of new and vintage furniture and such natural materials as wood and stone create the rustic and cozy feel the owners wanted for their cottage getaway.

Accented with red and white pillows and throws along with a classic Hudson’s Bay blanket, it creates what designer Dvira Ovadia calls “a very Canadian palette.”

Dining table and chairs: Restoration Hardware.

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The family spends most of their indoor time on the enclosed porch. Bleached wood walls and ceiling give it a white-washed look. The laminate floor, by Torlys Floors, extends out from the main house.

It’s the enclosed porch, though, that’s become the heart of this vacation home. Its walls are covered in horizontal planks of bleached wood and it holds two seating areas and another dining table. “That’s where we live,” says the homeowner. “We eat every meal in there.” Since the homeowners often have friends and family staying with them, Ovadia created one seating area with a sofa for larger groups, and a smaller, more intimate area as a conversation zone, with four large wicker chairs where the adults could chat and relax with a glass of wine or just enjoy the sounds of the lake.

The basement area was designed as a children’s zone. Bunk beds that can sleep up to six people are tucked away behind a sliding barnwood door. There’s also a games area and ping pong and craft tables. The bathroom here, like those on the upstairs bedroom floor, is a mix of what Ovadia calls “high-low” – where the homeowners invested in natural stone for its timeless look, but chose a less-expensive pre-fab vanity. “It’s a guest bathroom, tied to the bunkbeds,” she says, “but it has the same feel as the rest of the house, of those rustic elements and found objects.” –>

The basement was designed as a children’s zone, and includes a bunk-bed area that can sleep six - with two twin beds on top and two double beds below - that tuck in behind custom-made barnwood doors on an industrial black metal track. The bed safety rails are made of oars. The downstairs also includes a games area, and ping pong and craft tables.

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For the master and basement bathrooms, the homeowners chose marble flooring, but wanted a beachy look in the powder room, where they opted for a pebble mosaic tile by CIOT.

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During the school year, commitments to hockey teams and other activities limit how much time the family can spend at the cottage, but that all changes come spring.

“Summer vacation is so precious and important,” says the homeowner. “We don’t miss a weekend in the summer. We go from the May long weekend until hockey starts again in September. We have two cupboards full of board games and puzzles, we build fires and eat burnt marshmallows. It’s all stuff we never do in the city.”

The bedrooms are simply designed and modest in size, though the owners splurged a little on the master bedroom and bathroom. The master, with a view out to the lake, includes another barnwood feature wall, and has room for a cozy armchair and vintage lamp.

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THE GOOD LIFE IN WARM WEATHER

With the right furnishings and accessories, spending time outdoors this summer is an opportunity to create backyard bliss

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LIGHT AS AIR The highly weather-resistant yet super-lightweight Air-Armchair from Magis is as welcoming as it is versatile. Made using air-molding technology, this polypropylene and fibreglass chair is fully stackable and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Comes in a variety of colours, and the Magis

BY TRACEY MACKENZIE

logo is stamped on each chair to vouch for its originality.

Available at Triede www.triede.com

GOING AT FULL TILT The Sunbrella rectangular auto-tilt patio umbrella has an aluminum, rust-free, black frame and more than 300 Sunbrella canopy colours from which to choose. Perfect for commercial or residential use, this umbrella is easy to operate using the crank auto-tilt system.

Available at General Products www.gppatio.com

SUSTAINABLE SILICONE These colourful, reusable silicone straws by Danesco are sure to brighten up your cocktails and smoothies. Non-toxic and BPA-free, they come in a package of six with two cleaning brushes.

Available at Linen Chest www.linenchest.com

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OUTDOOR LIVING GUIDE 2019

PERFECTLY PRINTED The Japanese manual-resist dyeing technique called Shibori has been printed to look like faux-linen on a cushion to add a splash of colour to your backyard. The cushion is waterproof, UV-, fade-, and mildew-resistant.

It also comes in green and dark blue. 18˝ X 18˝ X 6˝.

Available at Linen Chest www.linenchest.com

BACKYARD BEVERAGES What could be better than a tall glass of water or iced tea on a hot summer day? This stainless steel pitcher can supply both. Simply fill with your beverage of choice, add some ice and lemon, and your backyard beverage is ready to go. Made of stainless steel, this pitcher is hand-wash only.

Available at Wayfair www.wayfair.com

SUN-POWERED The tiki-inspired Torche collection from Les Jardins Solar Lighting features a tapered teak frame and Duratek finish, which will withstand the elements year-round. The soft lighting of its contemporary design lends warmth to a patio and adds ambience to pathways.

Available at Les Jardins Solar Lighting www.lesjardins.solar

FABULOUS FLAMES Hand-crafted and made of lightweight concrete, the Element fire pit

by Dekko is a warm focal point in a backyard seating area or patio.

It’s also lightweight enough for rooftop terraces.

Available at Southern Living Design www.southernlivingdesign.ca

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OUTDOOR LIVING GUIDE 2019

FLORAL FUN Offer a cheerful welcome to your visitors with this floral-patterned coir doormat. Bright daisies combined with little red ladybugs are sure to brighten your entryway. It measures 18 by 30 inches.

Available at Linen Chest www.linenchest.com

SLEEK AND STREAMLINED The Skaal lantern from Les Jardins Solar Lighting marries Scandinavian modernism with sleek design. An open frame allows for indirect lighting that casts a warm glow wherever it goes. Made of teak, this minimalist-come-rustic lantern is at home on a deck, patio or rooftop hangout.

Available at Les Jardins Solar Lighting www.lesjardins.solar

CHILD’S PLAY No reason for the children not to enjoy the outdoors in this made-for-kids Muskoka chair. The recycled plastic frame is eco-friendly and faderesistant. Accessories, including a cup holder, headrest and ottoman, are also available. Comes in red, white, blue, turquoise and yellow.

Available at General Products www.gppatio.com

MOLDED MAGIC Your comfort level will be elevated from ordinary to extraordinary with the Riverside lounge chair from Tonon. Lightweight and covered in waterproof soft touch plus fabric, which is a bi-component molded polyurethane that is weather resistant and fire retardant, this chair is perfect for indoors or out.

Available at Jardin de Ville www.jardindeville.com

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OUTDOOR LIVING GUIDE 2019

A BETTER BEANBAG A plush geometric shape covered in weather-resistant olefin knitted fabric makes the Gios armless chair a great addition to any outdoor space. Perfect for adults and children alike, it comes in many funky colours to inject an element of whimsy into its surroundings.

Available at Article www.article.com

PRACTICAL POUFS Multi-purpose and pretty, these poufs from Casualife are made of all-weather resin and have an aluminum frame. Functional as side tables, footstools or extra seating, they are available in black, cream, grey and multi-tone.

Available at Casualife www.casualife.ca

HANG AROUND The Daisy hanging chair can be used indoors or out and has a resin wicker bucket with a rustproof frame of powder-coated steel. The chair can support up to 350 pounds and the cushions can be made in any Sunbrella material. Perfect for small spaces, this chair is fun and compact.

Available at General Products www.gppatio.com

TURN A NEW LEAF This 16-piece Verde dinnerware set by LC Studio is perfect for adding a touch of greenery to your patio, urban balcony or rooftop terrace.

Dishwasher- and microwave-safe, this botanical set includes four dinner plates, four salad plates, four bowls and four mugs.

Available at Linen Chest www.linenchest.com

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OUTDOOR LIVING GUIDE 2019

WE LOVE LATTICE Add a touch of elegance to your garden with the Greystone outdoor collection by Ann Marie Vering. A latticework structure, gently sloping arms, and tapered legs add beauty and visual lightness to this outdoor furniture.

Available at Restoration Hardware www.RH.com

MINT TO BE These premium-grade 16-ounce stainless steel mint julep cups are made for al fresco living. In a cup, gently muddle four mint leaves, one teaspoon of powdered sugar and two teaspoons of water. Fill the cup with cracked ice and add two ounces of bourbon whiskey. Garnish with a mint sprig and your party has started. Want something less spirited? Add water, juices or iced tea and some ice and these cups will keep your drinks cold. Dishwasher safe.

Available at Wayfair www.wayfair.com

WIRED Designed by Mathias De Ferm, the Wire collection for Joli was given a light and airy feel through the use of stainless-steel cable to shape the chair, sofa and table legs. The table top is available in both tempered glass and ceramic, and comes in a range of colours. Cushions in fabric or leather are also available for the sofa and chairs for optimum comfort.

Available at Jardin de Ville www.jardindeville.com

ON THE GRID The Grid collection by Gloster features complementary units that form a flexible seating system, allowing you to combine various individual units to meet specific needs. Accessorize this unique seating arrangement with Gloster’s contemporary Cocoon lanterns that are both plug-in and solar-powered.

Available at Southern Living Design www.southernlivingdesign.ca

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OUTDOOR LIVING GUIDE 2019

COMPLETE COMFORT The ultimate in comfort, the Montecito collection from Casualife features oversized proportions and plush, ultra-dense, Trillium Cloud cushions. The art of basketry was the inspiration behind the large wicker weave, and the low linear profile offers a relaxed look. Finished in a UV-resistant, N-Dura resin wicker, this collection is robust and has the look of natural materials.

Pillows are hypoallergenic.

Available at Casualife www.casualife.ca

POOLSIDE PANACHE Made in Belgium, the Tomie Coastal Flora rug in ivory and orange has a tropical look. Whether it covers the patio or poolside cocktail area, its low-pile, fibre-enhanced polypropylene can handle high traffic. Easily cleaned, this stain- and fade-resistant rug is best used with an underpad to prevent sliding. Can be used indoors or outdoors.

Available at Wayfair www.wayfair.com

DURABLE DESIGN Made of Stamskin Top imitation leather, the Vision collection is water-resistant and durable. Often used in boat seating, this material is easy to clean. With a frame made of aluminum, and cushions that don’t have to be stowed, this collection is a low-maintenance option.

Available at General Products www.gppatio.com

EXOTIC ILLUMINATION For beach or backyard, the Bori light features an open rattan weave, metal handle and small battery pack. Inspired by traditional Japanese lanterns, this light adds an Asian element to outdoor decor. Comes in natural and black. Light may also be hung on a coordinating black pole that is sold separately.

Available at Article www.article.com

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HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE

A Vancouver couple who are sports fans have their condo designed to allow them to watch events on TV from many angles.

BY ELISABETH KALBFUSS PHOTOGRAPHY: EMA PETER STYLING: CHAD FALKENBERG

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The television gets pride of place in the living room, and was situated so that the owners, who are sports fans, could watch games there and in the kitchen. Console: Jeff Martin Joinery.

A PROFESSIONAL COUPLE who divide their time between Vancouver and New York had two important considerations when it came to redesigning their Crosstown condo: having comfortable home workspace and great views of the television to watch sports.

One partner works in social media and sports consulting, the other in social media and marketing. Both sometimes work from home, both love sports and wanted to make sure they could watch games from anywhere on the main floor.

The condo has about 1,100 square feet of space with main-floor living, kitchen and dining areas, an upstairs loft with a master bedroom and bathroom, and an outdoor deck that adds another 500 square feet of living space. The condo has huge windows and looks toward downtown Vancouver, with a view of the mountains.

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“That was the centre of the project: being able to watch games and cook, and all at the same time.”

“We tried to create a lot of work surfaces,” says Chad Falkenberg, principal at Falken Reynolds Interiors. “There’s the dining table outside, the kitchen island, which has good seating, the small dining table.” A quick shuffle, he says, and those temporary work spaces easily return to their original function. The designer also added a desk in the bedroom so there would be a permanent spot for work things to sit undisturbed.

The all-important television is on the main living room wall, visible from the kitchen and even the deck. “The big thing for them was: can they see the TV? They’re huge sports fans,” he says. “That was the centre of the project: being able to watch games and cook, and all at the same time.”

Falkenberg says he made only a few changes to the floor plan. To make the television more visible from the kitchen, he removed a small piece of wall beside the backsplash. The kitchen now connects more directly with the living room. To create a separate dining space, he removed a storage closet and eliminated the shower from the downstairs guest bathroom, turning it into a powder room instead.

“In condo living, a lot of people don’t need a dedicated dining area if they have a kitchen island. But they wanted one,” he says. –>

To keep the countertop line unbroken, designer Chad Falkenberg hid the refrigerator (to the left of the aqua backsplash) behind two kinds of panelling: the same white as the upper cabinets and the wood used on the lower drawers.

Bocci 28.16 light fixture: Inform Interiors.

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The condo is a recent build: just old enough so that its rooms are still generously sized, says Falkenberg, new enough to have a contemporary feel. In the decor, the couple wanted to add mid-century touches and were eager to incorporate various types of wood. “In Vancouver, it’s so natural to do that,” Falkenberg says.

“They wanted it to feel really warm.”

The wood console in the living room was made by local craftsman Jeff Martin. Instead of using kiln-dried wood, he air-dries his own wood, Falkenberg says. “It brings out a lot of colour variation; there’s more richness.” A custom sofa with extra wide arms provides seating for friends who visit to watch games, and there’s more space behind the sofa to pull in the kitchen bar stools.

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The wall behind the desk is the same grey as the living room wall right below. The owners wanted to be able to darken it for sleeping, so designer Chad Falkenberg installed draperies all around the railing. Homework desk in black ash: Bensen Manufacturing.

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The wood theme carries into the other rooms as well. For the ensuite bathroom, Falkenberg designed the walnut vanity, which looks like a repurposed mid-century piece even though it’s a new build. Downstairs, the powder room walls and floor are clad in a medium-toned wood that complements the walnut furniture.

Another important consideration for the homeowners was being able to darken the bedroom, often a challenge in a loft.

Expansive windows are great for admiring the view, but are sometimes not so great for sleeping. Falkenberg installed draperies along the loft railing to provide privacy and control light. It also helps the acoustics, he says, eliminating some of the echoes that occur with high ceilings. –>

Falkenberg Reynolds designed the bathroom vanity to resemble a piece of midcentury furniture and had it crafted of walnut. Although it has legs, they’re just for show; the piece is wall-mounted. The owners wanted an extra-large shower with two shower heads. Bocci 21.5 light fixture: Inform Interiors.

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The deck is both covered and heated for almost year-round use. It has both seating and dining areas.

As in many Vancouver homes, the outdoor deck becomes an extension of the indoor living space. The 500-square-foot deck is both covered and heated, so it can be used almost year-round. A fireplace and sofa seating area take up one half, and a large dining table with both chairs and bench take up the other half.

As well there’s a barbecue and several planters so that the owners can grow herbs and vegetables. “It’s almost like having an extra two rooms,” says Falkenberg.

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SMOOTHLY FLOWING ENERGY IN THE GARDEN Applying feng shui principles in a garden can create a beautiful, serene outdoor space

BY TRACEY MACKENZIE

WITH THE ARRIVAL OF WARM WEATHER, Canadians turn their gaze outward to focus on their gardens and outdoor rooms. If you’re creating a new garden or simply sprucing up the one you have, consider enhancing its energy by applying some ancient feng shui principles in your outdoor space.

The 5,000-year-old Chinese practice of feng shui is an esoteric system, designed to help people live long and prosper by harmonizing the f low of energy in their environments.

And that flow applies as much to gardens as it does to the interior of a building. Here the balance of yin and yang elements is key, as it is indoors. Yang energy is active and outward-seeking and associated with the sun. By contast, yin energy is considered feminine, associated with the moon and impelling an inward focus and a sense of calm and balance.

Colourful flowers are best located in the south of the garden to activate fame and enhance the inhabitants’ reputation

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Active water features, such as koi ponds and fountains, enhance the prosperity energy of the southeast sector of the garden. A pond with floating lotus flowers harmonizes family energy in the east.

Consider f lowers, a mainstay in most gardens. Their graceful presence uplifts our spirits and adds warmth to the landscape and our homes. In tropical climates, which are considered to be yang because of the heat, lush f lowers bloom year-round. So water elements (fountains, ponds) are de rigueur to cool things down. In northern regions, which are considered yin because of a lack of sunlight and the presence of snow, flowers in bright colours are a welcome reprieve from all the grey and white.

Feng shui regards the energy of flowers as yin (wood). Their colours, however, can be yang (red, orange, fuchsia, bright yellow) or yin (blue, purple, green). Shrubs, such as boxwood and cedar, and plants, such as hostas, are yin energy, whereas flowering shrubs such as hibiscus can be a mixture of both yin and yang, depending on the colour of their flowers.

The key to having a successful feng shui garden is to ensure that its elements are balanced between yin (quiet areas, green

space, vegetable garden) and yang (seating areas, firepits, koi ponds). Planting the right elements in the right direction or sector is also key.

Do cultivate flowers that attract bees, birds and butterflies to contribute to the well-being of the planet.

When planning your feng shui garden, you will need to follow the traditional compass-school Ba Gua. This is a map of the directions and their corresponding elements to help determine what you can plant and where. –>

The Ba Gua map of direcctions and corresponding elements.

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Pink peonies have traditionally been used in the southwest sector to attract potential suitors for unmarried daughters.

By using the five elements of feng shui (wood, fire, earth, metal and water) you can strengthen or increase each sector of your backyard to achieve certain results.

If you are seeking spiritual development or even enlightenment, a statue of the Buddha or Kuan Yin in the northeast will enhance that energy.

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For example, should you want to attract a partner or receive a marriage proposal, you would look to the southwest sector of your garden, which corresponds to love and marriage. The corresponding element is earth and the enhancing element is fire. Here, you could add brightly coloured flowers in pots to activate the energy of love. Red, orange and fuchsia (all fire colours) work best here, as do peonies. The peony, highly revered in Asian cultures, is believed to attract favourable male suitors to a family’s single daughter. Once the

flowers have grown, do shake the ants out of them and place a vase of two peonies in the southwest area of your living room to amplify the love and marriage energy.

If you’re seeking enlightenment or spiritual guidance, you could place a statue of the Buddha or Kuan Yin made of stone in the northeast sector (knowledge). Since the northeast is also referred to as the spiritual sector, adding a statue of a religious figure here or an altar will boost that energy.

Should you desire a water feature in your garden, the ideal locations are in the southeast (prosperity), the east (family) or the north (career) sectors.

Firepits are best placed in the south (fame and fire elements). Although the southwest (earth) and northeast (earth) can also be increased by fire, flames are generally short-lived, so putting a firepit in those two sectors may result in short spurts in your results, which would not be beneficial for love or knowledge.

A Zen garden, which is mainly made of sand (earth energy), would be best placed in the northeast (earth), west (metal) or

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(Left) Used mainly for meditation, a Zen garden is best located in the northeast (knowledge) sector.

(Below) Butterflies pollinate plants and flowers, which is essential for environmental well-being.

Do cultivate flowering plants that attract them.

northwest (metal) as they are all strengthened or increased by earth. Also, these sectors have a more yin energy, which is required for mediation and self-reflection.

Brightly coloured flowers work well in the south (fire) as they represent the wood element, combined with fire (bright colours). A vegetable garden, however, is predominantly green (wood), so it would be suitable for the east, southeast and south sectors.

Yellow flowers work well in the southwest (earth), west (metal) and northwest (metal) sectors, as long as they are in ceramic pots (earth energy). Flowers that are violet or blue work best in the north (water), east (wood) or southeast (wood).

A play area for children would be good in the west (children and creativity) and an entertaining area would be best in the east (family). However, you could also use the south (the fame sector of the Ba Gua) for entertaining but would need to adjust for the temperature depending on where you live.

Wind chimes are a popular garden staple, but be careful where you hang them. Ideally you would have a six-rod metallic wind chime in the north to activate the career sector, or in the northwest to activate travel and timely help. If you are using a six-rod bamboo windchime, hang it in the southeast (for prosperity) or the south (for fame).

Flowers that attract hummingbirds add yang energy to a garden.

Using appropriate furniture in the specific sectors is also favorable. A wood table and chairs would work best in the east (wood), southeast (wood) and south (fire) sectors, whereas metal furniture would work best in the west (metal), northwest (metal) and north (water) sectors. Cushion colours should also be adjusted according to the sector they are in.

Creating a feng shui garden by using the five elements can bring you great joy, enhance your surroundings, offer a wonderful landing spot for hummingbirds and bees and create good energy for both you and the planet.

Doesn’t that sound good?

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TAKE IT EASY This summer’s planetary alignments are all about slowing down to enjoy life

BY SUSAN KELLY

SUMMERTIME, AND THE LIVING IS EASY — or so the old Gershwin showtune would have it. But between extreme weather and erratic political climates, can we really depend on that easy feeling?

Good news: This season, the majority of outer planets — Jupiter on out — are in what is known as retrograde motion. (An illusion, really, since planets don’t really shift gears and back up.) Think of it as astrological snooze mode for the solar system’s big players. They have to do with collective forces at play, our relationship with the world at large.

Which means that this summer we have cosmic permission to celebrate, not sweat, the small stuff. To tune out the news feed, dial into the summer hits stream. As Pema

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Chödrön, Buddhist nun and author of several books on mindfulness, says: “You are the sky.

Everything else is just the weather.”

On June 21, the Sun enters Cancer, and summer officially gets underway. Our focus shifts from Gemini busy-ness to connecting on an emotional level, with our selves and those who are nearest and dearest. With social Venus also in Cancer, July is primetime to fire up the barbecue and gather the clans. And, since gastronomically oriented Cancer likes to initiate projects, maybe it’s time to front-burner that outdoor dining room upgrade.

Running in the background are two eclipses in the sign of the Crab: a solar on July 2 and lunar on July 16. Eclipse periods sometimes bring a general sense of discontent, the source

of which we can’t quite put our finger on. Yet if we relax and remain observant, clues will come to light that later lead to profound and positive change. An urge to move or totally revamp the main-floor decor, say, just might indicate a deeper yearning. As we swing in the hammock, we might ponder making more space in our lives for the things that make us feel secure, loved and happy.

An all-access pass to more drama and excitement, good for one month, arrives on July 22. The Sun, closely followed by both love-goddess Venus and action-oriented Mars, enters Leo. When decorating, think backdrop for entertaining and romance this year. Both scenarios will contain a few thrills and surprising (in a good way) plot

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twists. The Lion’s primal drive, creativity, is in overdrive as well. It will be that much easier to find joy in one’s creations whether it’s a work of art, decor or, by extension, a child.

The summer zodiac signs of Cancer and Leo are about home and creativity respectively. Sounds like time to decorate, but wait until mid-August to phone the contractors. Big moves made in the week before or during an eclipse, such as signing a new mortgage or renovation contract, tend to not work out. Plus, from July 7 to August 6, the planet Mercury wings backward. During its retrograde phase, this planet, aptly named for the trickster god, usually brings a slew of minor mix-ups relating to communications.

Which of the hot outdoor living trends get a nod of approval from the summer signs? Here are my picks: Living Coral: The 2019 Pantone Color of the Year is so right for the zodiac signs of summer: an orange tint for sun-loving Leo, a sea theme for the Crab. Plus, experts say vivid colours inject positive energy into a space. Try this or another bright colour on some throw pillows or seat cushions. Feeling adventurous? Paint the fence in a vibrant hue as well.

Cozy comfort: Outdoor spaces are the places for family gatherings and entertaining, and for enjoying peaceful contemplation. Cancer needs nooks and crannies into which to retreat. It likes a homey vibe and to nestle in soft, plush cushions and shaded spots.

Bold statements: As with colours, other design elements are taking on some Leo flamboyance. Fresh fabrics in geometric or tribal prints will take cushions or throw pillows to the next level. Oversized botanical prints remain popular choices this summer. And furniture frames are making a statement with chunky shapes.

Let there by lighting: In astrology, the summer signs are associated with the orbs illuminating the sky: Leo with the Sun, Cancer the Moon. It seems only fitting to add as many lighting options as possible in this, a big trend for 2019. Think up-lighting behind plants and shrubs, undermounted LED strips along fencing, solar lamps to light garden paths — the options for adding nighttime ambience are endless.

Low-slung seating: As with indoor furniture, this is a big trend now.

With many of the outer planets in the earth signs of Taurus and Capricorn, it could mean we need to get closer to terra firma. The look also is the ultimate in casual, which Cancer prefers. And it says lounge a while, a favourite pastime of the Lion.

ARIES (MARCH 21 – APRIL 19) Time to cut bait or reel in real changes to your home or living arrangements. Late summer, travel can be eye-opening and help you claim a newfound passion.

LEO (JULY 23 – AUGUST 22) First, retreat to your lair and take time to cleanse your body and realign your soul. Reclaim your place in the sun in August, when romance hits new heights.

TAURUS (APRIL 20 – MAY 20) A major (and long-term) reinvention is underway. Ride the wave of spontaneous exhilaration, then take it easy in August and regroup.

VIRGO (AUGUST 23 – SEPTEMBER 22) Your social net gets tangled in July, but after some drama you’ll know who your real friends are. August finds you plumbing your deepest needs.

GEMINI (MAY 21 – JUNE 20) The eclipses could reveal a way to find the smart money. August’s trends are particularly potent for learning new things and networking.

CANCER (JUNE 21 – JULY 22) Makeover madness is an outer reflection of inner change. But do give your partner time to catch up. The big reveal: your net worth rises with your self-worth.

LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 22) It may be all work and no play in July, but at least a chance to move up the ladder awaits.

Later, you forge stronger community links over the barbecue.

SCORPIO (OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21) You really do need to get away from it all in July, literally or by just tuning out. By August, you’ll be plotting a new career trajectory for a fall launch.

S A G I T TA R I U S ( N O V E M B E R 2 2 – DECEMBER 21) Travel may be on hold in July, but some serious inner explorations bear unexpected fruit. In August, it’s all systems go for a great getaway.

CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22 – JANUARY 19) Your close relationships are under renovation and a few boundaries may have to be moved.

Late summer brings renewed passion and is optimal for a vacation.

AQUARIUS (JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 18) July brings inspiration when it comes to getting in shape, working hard and being productive. Late summer, your love life is all-consuming and rewarding.

PISCES (FEBRUARY 19 – MARCH 20) Can (or should) you love the one you’re with?

Some big reveals are in store in early summer.

August is primetime for upgrades to your surroundings.

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A TASTE FOR ATYPICAL THINGS A subdivided house is restored as a single-family home and given some unusual design elements

BY KAREN SEIDMAN PHOTOGRAPHY: LISA PETROLE STYLING: LISA LEV

DESIGNER LISA LEV KNEW that the home in mid-town Toronto would be a challenge to design when she was brought in a few years ago to look at it by its owners, a young couple.

It was actually three apartments with dark, constricted spaces.

The couple wanted to inhabit the house in the St. Clair Ave. and Christie St. area for a while to decide what they could do with the space. They called Lev back a year later, saying they were now ready to proceed with the project.

Lev stepped in and brought her clean lines and fresh approach to create the contemporary look the couple craved.

To respect the project’s budget, they focused on the priority spaces, including the main floor and the addition of a bathroom on the third floor where the master bedroom is located. –>

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The owners wanted a bright, open space on the main level, something both functional and fun that would allow for free-flowing family areas while providing ample storage and, of course, a contemporary and warm aesthetic.

Lev chose hickory for the floors because it’s hard (good for family life) and because the variation of tones in it would allow for the use of other woods without creating a visual clash. While oak is more commonly used, these clients liked the fact that the hickory had more character, she says.

The f loors blend well with the custom-made kitchen cabinets, which are a mix of natural red oak and white matte lacquer.

To complement that, Lev chose Caesarstone countertops in Organic White and a hexagonal ceramic tile backsplash from Olympia Tile to complete the look.

Large windows contribute to a feeling of openness in the bright and functional space. The yellow pendant lights are an example of the sunny accent colour used throughout the home.

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Open shelving along the island breaks up the wood and provides colour, interest and functionality. The island was designed with a lower surface for dining. The owners wanted the table to be moveable, so it could be repositioned in front of the windows with an additional table attached to host large family holiday gatherings.

The yellow pendant lights from The Door Store above the kitchen island add vivid colour that Lev also used on the playful powder room door down the hall, just past the Ikea glossy-grey cabinets, which were installed for extra storage. “Yellow is my absolute favourite colour to use in a family home as an accent as it is bright and happy and fun,” she says. –>

Various woods marry perfectly in the kitchen where the hickory floors, with their interesting variation of tones, blend well with the cabinetry, which is crafted of red oak and white matte lacquer.

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The master bathroom presented some interesting challenges because of its location in an attic space. To create the now-striking space, which boasts a large window and a glassed-in shower with brass fixtures, Lev positioned the toilet in a sloping area with a door. She added a custom vanity with an offset sink in a niche at the window, and then put the shower in the middle of the space with a clear view in three directions, allowing light to enter.

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Most clients, says Lev, would not have gone for a vanity at a window, which meant there was no mirror above it. These clients, however, like atypical things and loved the idea of looking outside while standing at the bathroom sink in the morning. Wall lights from Crate & Barrel were added to each side, as well as a pull-out mirror on one side. –>

The master bathroom was a challenge because of sloping walls. The shower is a focal point; the brass fixtures from Tub and the carpet runner add to the eclectic nature of the room.

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The colourful entry hall, with the striped runner on the stairs, bright kilim area rug, and mosaic light fixture, showcases the family’s whimsical style. The fixture “was a perfect way to introduce the client’s personality,” says designer Lisa Lev.

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Red oak was also used to create custom cabinetry at the home’s front entrance for the storage of coats and boots. One of the items the couple requested be used was a colourful light fixture they owned, which Lev positioned in the entry. “It, along with the striped stair runner, area carpet, cushions on the bench and large-scale photo, was a perfect

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way to introduce the clients’ personality and the pops of colour to come throughout the house,” Lev says.

No longer a warren of apartments, the house is now a joyful family home with touches of whimsy to please the homeowners and appeal to their love of the unusual.

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SLIGHTLY

BY WENDY HELFENBAUM PHOTOGRAPHY: GILLIAN JACKSON SYLING: TARA FINLAY

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SEPARATE A Toronto designer transforms a pair of dilapidated semi-detached houses into unique industrial-rustic creations

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ONE SPRING MORNING in 2016 while he was en route to view a property for sale in the High Park neighbourhood of Toronto, designer Nicholas Ancerl spotted a pair of neglected semi-detached homes. Owned by a nearby church, the houses had long been vacant and were in such disrepair that Ancerl could see the sky from inside, thanks to a large hole in the roof.

Undeterred, Ancerl, who grew up in this dense urban neighbourhood, with its historic Victorian houses, quickly bought both lots.

He and his design team then brainstormed to define the scope.

“I wanted it to fit within the neigbourhood, and when we found an image of a converted barn with a modern interior, that became our concept,” recalls Ancerl, who owns Ancerl Studio.

The kitchen cabinetry is MDF painted white with a walnut interior. Appliances: Jenn-Air.

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Project manager Ashley Robertson suggested building a pair of detached homes that appear as a single house or as semi-detached.

They would be in a traditional triangular barn shape.

“The idea was that walking down the street, it looks like one house, but when you stand right in front of it, you see the break between them,” Ancerl says.

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He ran brick all the way up both the exterior and interior adjoining walls, to emphasize the break point between the two homes. To create movement along the facade, he designed the home across five planes, each featuring a sloping roof that meets to form a hollow peak. Narrow recessed slits were cut into the side elevations with 20-foot-high windows bringing natural light into the centre of the house. Cladding the exterior with yellow-toned heritage brick and vertical barnboard planks softened the angular planes and black metal accents, while paying homage to this established neighbourhood.

(Above) “We hung three paintings from local graffiti artist Anthony Ricciardi,” says Nicholas Ancerl. “He’s one of my favourites, and we felt the scale was perfect to flank that wall. (Opposite) The stairs are made of cold-rolled steel, assembled with a steel stringer running through the wall. The walls are clad in reclaimed barnboard.”

(Left) “The sheep is the highlight of the house,” Ancerl says. “One of my designers, Tara Finlay, and I were going to buy a sheep rocking horse for the space that could be seen from the street.

But then Tara found the black sheep. I loved it; it was different and cool.”

Over the 19-month construction period, Ancerl honed his vision for each property, keeping the design coherent. Each home has three bedrooms and four bathrooms. Each incorporates rustic and eclectic touches, and the designer juxtaposed materials, textures and unexpected combinations to forge two ultra-modern yet comfortable spaces. –>

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Using exposed shaved heritage brick, sleek marble, rugged barn wood and industrial-looking metal, he created clean lines and symmetry while maximizing the use of the 2,200- and 2,700-square-foot spaces. With ceilings of up to 30 feet and walls of windows encased by industrial black frames, each home feels like an airy loft.

Ancerl introduced several striking differences between the properties. For example, in the larger home, a staircase made of thin, engineered steel makes a commanding focal point. “We put barnboard as the backing, and instead of step lights in the stairs, we installed strip lights cut out of the wood, going all the way up,� he says.

The headboard was custom-made as were the side tables.

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(Above) To emphasize a 12-foot ceiling, Ancerl imported onyx slabs from China. “We had it cut into six pieces in China so it book-matches from the floor, continuing up the wall,” he says. “However, when the tilers were carrying the fourth piece over, it broke into 19 pieces.

The tiler numbered all the pieces, and sent it off to be repaired, and it looks fantastic.”

The house then opens up to a lovely view of the back garden through sliding glass doors. “When you look at the house from the front, you’re looking right through that two-storey window,” he says. “The brick goes up two storeys, and we hung tube lights to illuminate the art, like a gallery wall.”

The entire third floor is devoted to the master suite, including a private balcony. A large dressing room leads to the ultra-glam bathroom, with a huge standalone tub and marble tiling. –>

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For the smaller home, where Ancerl lived, rustic 100-year-old barn beams criss-cross above the main living area. “They’re my favourite part of this house,” he says. “The recessed slits in the side of the house offer peek-a-boo views of the church next door, and the beams feel like they’re part of the church.

There’s something about sitting in the middle of that space, with windows everywhere and 30 feet of sloping ceiling – there’s a lot of character within the functionality of the house, plus some three-dimensional wow.”

He designed a minimalist-style kitchen and dining area, with built-in black cabinetry at credenza height extending the length of the house. “With a long narrow kitchen, you want to keep it organized,” he explains. “We put in folding walnut doors that hide the stove area and surrounding black cabinets, which, when closed, make the space larger.”

(Above) Custom-crafted cold-rolled steel shelving affixed to the heritage brick adds an industrial touch and provides plenty of open storage, while contrasting with warm walnut cabinetry.

Countertops: Calacatta gold marble; cabinetry: Fenix; light fixture over island: Vesoi.

(Right) Tube-shaped pendant lights by ANONY hung over the dining table are a free-form, sculptural element. Designer Nicholas Ancerl shaved down the heritage brick to match the exterior. Solid wood timber beams bestow rusticity.

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Custom built-in cabinetry made of white-painted MDF offers plenty of storage.

He devised a similar trick in the bathroom, mounting a mirrored medicine chest that slides over open shelving above the tub.

Known for creating unique design narratives, Ancerl says this “accidental” project – one of the studio’s lower-budget ones – was a labour of love. “It’s my absolute favourite project. I’m proud of how we made these two houses look like one,” he says. “I call it divine intervention, because it worked perfectly for the lot. I’ve never had a house

where so many people walk by, and just stare at it; it’s kind of cool and humbling at the same time.”

(Right) The master ensuite bathroom boasts gleaming marble floors, large windows and a deep soaker tub. Blinds can be pulled partway up from the floor for privacy, while still allowing light from the top windows to stream in. Ceramic tile: Mettro Source Tiles; tub: Topbath; vanity: custom-built Corian; flooring: Mettro Source Tile.

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MAKE THE MOST OF A MODEST SPACE

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Designer Nadine Thomson transforms a builder-basic condominium into a warm home for a single mother

BY NADINE THOMSON PHOTOGRAPHY: LUISA G. GONZÁLEZ

Canadians who move into condominiums find themselves with the daunting yet exciting task of designing their new space in collaboration with condo developers. A case in point is this Montrealer, a single mother of two who was downsizing for a second time. She came across a new development in a coveted, upscale neighbourhood on the Island of Montreal. The building was not exactly the high quality she was accustomed to and the dimensions were modest, but the neighbourhood and location were attractive. However, moving into a space that didn’t even have a floor or a base-coat of paint on the walls demanded great vision and a leap of faith. Could she make this small space (933 square feet) into a home?

Here are some of the decisions and elements that made the design of this condo such a success story.

2 1. The entry area is critical because it is the first space that greets homeowners when they arrive home. Here, the entrance is a small L-shape. This led the homeowner to create a dramatic statement by choosing a dark colour on the walls (Iron Mountain 2134-30 by Benjamin Moore) and by adding an eclectic ensemble of furniture, artwork, mirror and mixed metals. They give the space personality and set the tone for the rest of the condo.

2. The homeowner had a choice of four colours for the hardwood floors and chose a dark brown for its richness, but also as a visually

solid base from which to design the space.

Most homeowners would steer clear of a dark floor for fear of crowding an already small space, but with light walls (Benjamin Moore’s Simply White OC-117), there is an airy feeling here. The visual strength of the floor permits a heavy and light contrast that extends to the patterns and colours of the furniture.

3. The oversized light fixture is white like the upper cabinets, and gives the kitchen an intimate feeling, especially for those under it, while providing functional LED light throughout.

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4. In most condo layouts, the kitchen is at

7. Another design element that many condo

8. The master bedroom, its closet, and en-

the back of the unit, making the first primary space you see a dark one. My client dealt with this by bridging the gap between the entrance area and the rest of the space. We juxtaposed modern and classic design elements, and installed off-beat artifacts that tie the entry area to the kitchen. The grey walls of the entry nook are echoed in the kitchen’s backsplash tiles, which were installed with a wider than usual grout space. The grout colour and thickness is a design element; it creates a relaxed counterpoint to the more contemporary cabinetry and countertop.

owners veer away from is large-sized furniture. They fear that such pieces will overpower a space. However, large furnishings can add warmth. In this case, Québécois antiques add an element of local history. Most important, they also infuse the owner’s personality into the space.

suite bathroom are reminiscent of a boutique hotel suite. Having all the rooms behind one door permits the homeowner to feel as if she has her own separate apartment. She removed the builder’s closet and added her own custom built-in unit in the hallway to create a little nook where the closet used to be. It is used by her daughter as a day room and adds another room for much-needed space.

5. High-end appliances and a slide-in range bestow a sense of luxury and quality.

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6. The living room’s curtains repeat the grey used in both the kitchen and entrance, giving the space continuity, which is the secret to good design when you’re working with many variations of colour and pattern in furniture.

The ceiling-mounted ripple-fold curtains add sophistication to the otherwise ordinary and box-like feeling of a typical condo living room. The dark grey is also a neutral backdrop to strong colours.

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BLACK AND WHITE AND GREEN ALL OVER A sophisticated palette and lush plantings give related urban patios crisp style

BY PHILLIPA RISPIN PHOTOGRAPHY: BRANDON BARRÉ STYLING: LISA AIKEN

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WHEN STYLING AN OUTDOOR “ROOM,” treat it almost as you would an indoor room with similar function. That’s the advice Lisa Aiken, owner of design company Terra Firma, gives her clients.

“When I do a consultation for something, I look at the home’s interior, at what the homeowners love,” she says.

For this townhouse in Toronto, she had two spaces to work on: a rooftop patio off the kitchen, and one storey below that, a courtyard patio that leads off a games room.

“I wanted to give the upper patio a cozy, high-end restaurant feel,” Aiken says. She laid down outdoor carpeting for that cozy feeling, and to provide a measure of privacy, she set up tall fencing covered in ivy. In addition, the dining table has an umbrella to block out the sun and the view from neighbouring buildings.

There’s also a small, separate grouping of a side table and two armchairs – just the spot for coffee at sunrise or cocktails at sunset.

At one end of the patio, a low console table acts as a sideboard and, if even more privacy is desired, it can be set with more flowers.

Planters and pots of herbs are both decorative and practical, and their scents add to the ambience.

The upper-level patio is made for dining, and planters with herbs provide seasonings. White pelargoniums and crocuses show off at night, and the red accessories reflect the homeowners’ tastes. When styling a garden room, Aiken takes into account all of the homeowners’ possessions, especially those indoors. “[The outdoors] has got to be a comfort zone for clients,” she says.

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The colour scheme is a sophisticated black and white with red accents. Says Aiken, “From looking at their home’s interiors I could say ‘these people would love this red accent.’ And the white flowers and white accents really glow at night.”

When planning a garden, large or small, Aiken has important questions for her clients: How much maintenance do they want to perform? Do they have access to a garden hose or an irrigation system? “That’s a very big consideration, and people don’t realize, to get something to look as lush as this, what it takes to maintain,” she says. –>

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This upper patio has abundant plantings that look as though they require high maintenance. But Aiken has a secret: “The client’s only commitment is a small watering can,” she says. “Much of what you see is artificial.

I added colour with live plants, all of them annuals such as geraniums and cut-leaf ivy.”

Aiken used the same strategy for the courtyard patio at ground level. Like the upper patio, it was a tabula rasa. “There was nothing there,” she says. “Vines growing on brick walls, concrete pavers – that was it.”

On the wall of the lower-level courtyard patio, a mirror seems to be a window in the wall, providing a sense of more space. The palm tree and red pelargoniums are real; much of the other greenery is artificial. The concrete coffee table is massive. “That’s never going anywhere; we have no wind issues there,” says Aiken.

The courtyard patio is accessed from the games room, and it’s a casual space for lounging and

This lower patio is for daytime or nighttime entertaining. It can accommodate more people than upstairs and is furnished for what Aiken calls “a relaxed eating scenario.

It’s a very private area in contrast to upstairs; it’s a family area that’s ideal for the family’s lifestyle. These folks love to entertain, and it’s important to have enough furniture, with a big coffee table that’s easy for serving food.”

Aiken says that designing this space was an easy job. “The wall is high; you’re so nestled in there that privacy is not an issue,” she says.

“There’s nothing to hide or disguise.”

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relaxing. The large, low coffee table provides plenty of space for drinks and snacks.

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She continues, “Furnishings are key here.

People have to have the budget to get this kind of look. It’s colours, too. I love doing anything white outside; it really shows up.

Black and white is timeless and sophisticated.

And I love red accents; it’s a great punch. The homeowners can change the accent colours, too, if they wish.”

Like the patio upstairs, this one is populated with a mélange of real and artificial plants. Even the ferns are a mix, whereas the palm tree and annuals such as the red pelargoniums are real. Aiken used pots, including those for the annuals, that can stay outside for the long term. Artificial plants not only require little maintenance; they and their containers can survive our winters.

With easy-care plants, well-designed furniture, charming accessories and a sophisticated palette, Aiken relished this project. “This is a unique space I had such pleasure designing,” she says. “The maturity of the ivy and the brick wall give it a certain feel. It’s a beautiful backdrop.”

Good garden furniture adds so much style to a space. Take care of it in winter, Aiken advises.

Keep cushions indoors, and protect the furniture with custom-fitted covers or boxes (often ordered at the same time as the furniture). “In Toronto, I have all furniture shrink-wrapped, and then I put covers on it,” she says,

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BACK TO HER ROOTS A design-savvy boutique owner transforms her childhood home into an oasis for her growing family

BY WENDY HELFENBAUM PHOTOGRAPHY: RAPHAËL THIBODEAU STYLING: VALÉRIE GILBERT

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CAROLINE JODOIN INSTINCTIVELY understood how to renovate the 1,800-squarefoot home she bought in 2015 to make it perfect for her young family. After all, she’d grown up within those walls and knew every square inch.

“My parents lived there for 35 years, and it was very well-maintained structurally, but there were lots of cosmetic updates to do,” says Caroline, who co-owns Buk & Nola, a home furnishings boutique on Laurier Avenue in Montreal. “There was carpet everywhere – including the stairs and entry hall – and a wall separating the kitchen from the living room. But I knew it had huge potential.”

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The three-bedroom house, built in a Montreal suburb in 1979, had good bones and a functional layout that Caroline decided would work well for her family, which includes two small children.

“Since there were already so many windows on the main floor, I knew that taking down the wall and repainting everything white – including the brown brick fireplace – would flood the house with light,” says Caroline, who oversaw the two-month renovation that included installing honey-toned maple flooring throughout, and a fresh new kitchen.

“I just love the large black sink and faucet because it’s practical, maintenance-free and it looks terrific,” says Caroline. Cedar beams and columns anchor the room and blend with the home’s new maple flooring.

To replace the load-bearing wall separating the kitchen and living area, Caroline had a rustic cedar support beam installed, and flanked the new quartz-topped island with matching columns. Her children, aged three and six, often park themselves on the island’s counter-height stools – found at Maison Corbeil – to eat meals, do crafts and play games.

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Floating Ikea Besta wall cabinets store dining supplies without crowding the room and provide space to display some of Caroline’s favourite collectibles.

The crisp, white Shaker-style kitchen cabinets from Club Cuisine BCBG boosted the room’s function, adding much-needed storage for Caroline, who enjoys cooking and welcoming guests. A pair of spherical Tom Dixon copper pendant lights became the focal point of the entire first floor. “I knew I had to have them the minute I saw them; they were my big coup de coeur and make a huge statement,” she says. –>

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Weaving Mid-Century Modern aesthetics with a Scandinavian-bohemian vibe, Caroline assembled artwork and furniture that offer comfort and serenity. For example, a feature wall of framed posters in the dining room showcases an eclectic collection Caroline has been amassing for years. “This is my favourite space in the house; I really love sitting at the Kasa dining room table, and the black light fixture over the table was custom-made for Buk & Nola,” she says. –>

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The wood-burning fireplace’s original brown bricks felt heavy and dark, so Caroline treated them to a coat of white paint. The mid-centurystyle table, purchased at Mariette Clermont, echoes the tones of the wood columns and flooring.

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Caroline moved the entryway’s small closet over and installed floating white cabinets to corral the children’s items. White hexagonal tiles delineate the space from the main living area.

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She also had some fun designing the powder room, located a few steps down from the main living space near the garage. “It’s so tiny, and I wanted to do something funky for this guest bathroom and fell in love with this pineapple wallpaper,” she says.

Upstairs, she opted to paint one wall of the master bedroom a deep grey, even though the room is not large. “I’m always looking for design ideas online, and when I came upon a dark master bedroom on the Cup of Jo blog, it made me want a dark and cozy room,” says Caroline, adding that she hung floor-to-ceiling white drapery to soften the space.

Living here as an adult has brought Caroline great pleasure, and her parents approve of what she’s done to revamp the space. “They love it. My mother was so happy that I bought the house,” she says. “I have great memories of growing up here, and now we’re making new ones together.”

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The homeowner chose whimsical Ebony wallpaper dotted with pineapples from Hygge & West to create a focal point in the diminutive powder room.

Benjamin Moore’s Gravel Gray creates a bold feature wall in the master bedroom.

To prevent cluttering the white West Elm nightstands, Caroline chose a funky set of floating lights on a wire. A vibrant Lourdes pillow from Rifle Paper Co’s new home collection dresses up the bed.

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PICTUREPERFECT A designer who specializes in photography uses her visual acumen when designing her own home

BY SUSAN KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY AND STYLING: RUTNAISH PRIHAR

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CONTEMPORARY INTERIOR DESIGN, many say, reflects the modern art movement.

But it was the eye of a photographer that interior designer Rutnaish Prihar brought to the design of her own newly built two-storey home.

Photography has been a life-long passion for the principal at RP Interior Design in Oakville, who also offers clients professional photography services. “Like interior design, it requires an eye for detail,” she explains. “I prefer a contemporary look, and for my own home, I wanted to inject lots of warmth and personal touches so we could enjoy it as a family.”

Rutnaish and husband Anoop Prihar found the natural beauty of the property’s Oakville setting impossible to resist. Set on a cul-de-sac, the 100-by-175-foot lot backs onto a wooded area that is part of a lakeside estate. The existing “complete tear down” house was removed to make way for a new 5,500-square-foot home that the couple

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share with two daughters, Sumeeta, age 21, and Aneesha, 23.

From the front door, the central hallway frames the camera-ready view of the verdant backyard provided by floor-to-ceiling windows at the opposite end. “I definitely wanted that view as a focal point,” Rutnaish says.

“Which made the flooring so important as it

leads the eye into the heart of the home, the kitchen and family room on either side.” She placed marble floor tiles in a soft grey colour with warm undertones in the hallway, kitchen and dining areas. Most remaining rooms have six-inch-wide oak hardwood planks underfoot. Walls are painted a soft white throughout.

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The living room lies to the right off the front entry and connects to a formal dining room. To the left, the main staircase leads to five bedrooms and four bathrooms on the second level.

Rutnaish wanted the main staircase to have an open and sculptural look, and to provide a wow factor. She used stainless-steel dowels to create vertical design interest. Against them are set warm walnut treads on a centre stringer that seem to float in the air. There is also an elevator by the front entrance for the convenience of older relatives when they come to call.

Another set of stairs is outdoors by the pool; it leads to the basement. “I designed it so that when you get out of the pool, you can go to a basement bathroom instead of using the main-floor powder room,” Rutnaish says. “The outdoor stairs float on a sloped concrete wall, supported by two stringers that are anchored at the top and bottom. I had tape-lighting attached to the bottom of the stringers to illuminate the stairs at night, while also creating another design feature.” –>

A view of the stunning staircase leading to the backyard, and a view of the pool (top), designed by the homeowner. Patio doors (right) in the basement also let onto the area. Rustic and chic reclaimed barnboard frames them and hides ductwork.

Barnboard: Exotic Woods, Burlington.

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By designing the kitchen cabinets herself, the designer/ homeowner was able to get just the look she wanted.

Custom cabinetry: Top Notch Cabinets; island and countertops: Cambria; travertine floor tiles: Saturnia Argento from Marble Trend.

The designer substituted a stylish contemporary wine cellar for the fireplace proposed by the architects. It has proved both convenient and a conversation starter among guests, Rutnaish says. Wine cellar: Papro Wine Cellars; walnut table and chairs: Elte.

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The basement boasts a guest bedroom. And the bathroom that lies off the gym is equipped with a steam feature. There are also a billiard and home theatre rooms on that level.

Another unique touch throughout the house is provided by strategically placed artworks, all original creations made from

photographs taken by Rutnaish during the family’s vacations abroad. The stairwell’s charcoal-grey walls are lined with shots of New Zealand landscapes printed on sheets of brushed aluminum. For the largest work, which dominates a wall in the formal dining room, the designer enlarged a photo of

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Each of the couple’s adult children has a bedroom designed

by Rutnaish. To make laundry a pleasant chore for family members, she provided plenty of countertop folding room and mounted a television on the far wall for entertainment.

colourful graffiti found on a street in Melbourne, Australia. She had the image printed on metallic paper and mounted onto three three-by-five-foot panels.

But it is the open-concept kitchen, informal dining area, and family room that the family uses the most. A dramatic feature was added to provide a focal point while defining the family room: a floor-to-ceiling room divider. The inset three-way gas fireplace adds ambience.

“I covered it with precast smoky-grey concrete panels,” says the designer. “It gives a beautiful texture and a natural warmth.” –>

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The family room is flooded with light, thanks to four skylights. Bi-folding patio doors open easily, then tuck discreetly to one side, creating a seamless flow onto the back terrace. In good weather, the family can enjoy al fresco dining there. Automated screens slide down when mosquitoes are buzzing, and the family room television tilts so it is visible from the table.

Rutnaish is most often found in the kitchen where she does most of the cooking. The white quartz-topped island is also her favourite place to work; she plugs her laptop into the pop-up electrical outlet. “Many people think contemporary design is cold and stark,” she says. “I find the clean, minimal style of my kitchen very inviting. I really enjoy sitting in it.”

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The family room, the hub for both entertaining and family living, looks good from any angle. The floor-to-ceiling room divider with European-design three-way fireplace serves as a strong focal feature. Fireplace: Element4 Lucius 140 Room Divider.

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Custom cabinetry in warm walnut leads the eye into the butler’s pantry. Underfoot run six-inch wide engineered oak planks, used throughout the home; they were stained a custom shade and finished onsite with a water-based sealer for a natural matte finish.

The kitchen’s design all started with a dishwasher, one with a touch-to-open design.

Loving the clean latch-free look, she was inspired to run long, linear white lacquer cabinetry, all free of visible handles or hardware.

The uppers have touch-latch opening systems, the rich walnut-faced lowers discreet finger pulls. The cooktop and other appliances are seamlessly inset, and the range hood completely hidden behind a panel.

Her home’s many storage options on all floors are the envy of her friends. A butler’s

pantry between the kitchen and dining room houses a coffee station and microwave oven.

In it is a hidden door that opens to reveal a full-size pantry. To house cleaning supplies and other odd items, there is also a bank of cabinets in the basement laundry room.

For now, Rutnaish enjoys designing projects for other people. She has no further improvements planned for her home, no urge to tweak the design. “I’m still happy with the results,” she says. “I want to stay for a while; it really is home.”

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REBRANDING THE

FAMILY COTTAGE An architect transforms his 19th-century farmhouse into a modern, rustic retreat

BY WENDY HELFENBAUM • PHOTOGRAPHY: JESSY BERNIER • STYLING: GENEVIÈVE BOUTIN

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PERCHED ON A SPRAWLING wooded property in Saint-Raymond, about 60 kilometres west of Quebec City, a 149-year-old farmhouse begged to be reborn. Upon the birth of his son Léo in 2013, homeowner and architect Michel Gingras decided it was time to update and expand the cottage, which he’d bought with his brother Marc in 1995.

“Léo’s birth brought the whole family together, and suddenly, the house changed from a ‘chalet d’amis’ to a place where everyone – my siblings, my parents – wanted to gather,” recalls Michel.

The upholstered living room furniture was made by Le Saint Construction. “It’s modular, so you can set up the pieces face-to-face, or as a sectional,” says designer Elsa Vincent. The barnwood herringbone wall is crafted from wood that was salvaged after the home’s exterior canopy was taken down.

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“We wanted as much ceiling height as possible, without interfering with the secondstorey windows, so we dug down before building the extension,” says Michel Gingras of the farmhouse’s new living and dining space.

As a partner at STGM Architectes in Quebec City, Michel had often collaborated with IDEA’s associate designer Elsa Vincent and her team on commercial projects, and it was to her he turned when he envisioned the new family oasis. He wanted to retain the property’s 1870 charm, while adding much-needed open space and modern amenities.

With land spanning 1.7 kilometres, including fields for his horses, Michel had plenty of room to double the farmhouse’s living space. Construction took about four years’ worth of weekends with Michel and Marc doing the work.

“We kept the essential parts of the old house, such as the original wide-plank pine floors, but built an extension, because the rooms were very small and dark,” Michel says. “The whole house felt closed-in because a large canopy outside blocked the light.” –>

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Digging down to maximize the ceiling height, Michel and the IDEA team created a large, airy living and dining area adjacent to the old kitchen. Featuring heated slate floors, a cozy wood-burning fireplace, an eight-foothigh wood-clad wall, and glass patio doors that open onto the horse pasture, it’s a space that draws people in. “When we look out the back, it’s incredible; it’s one of my favourite spots in the house,” says Michel. “We chose mostly natural materials where possible. For the elevated f loor connecting the kitchen and the extension, we used leftover planks from the old deck’s roof, and the barnwood herringbone wall is crafted from the wood we kept after demolishing the old canopy.”

The pendant lights in the kitchen and the light fixture in the stairway were crafted by Montreal ceramist Hugo Didier from a design by the IDEA team.

“We wanted furniture that would add to the cottage’s personality,” says Vincent, who kept the farmhouse’s red armoire in the kitchen.

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The team also salvaged and stripped the home’s interior columns and beams, which add rustic texture. The original attic was taken down to create a cathedral ceiling.

“We didn’t want an ultra-modern cottage devoid of personality, so we also saved some furniture to keep the authentic chalet vibe throughout,” adds Vincent, who integrated the dining room chairs and the kitchen’s red armoire into her design.

The farmhouse’s kitchen was reconfigured and beefed up structurally so it could be opened up to the new living space. Quartz countertops and sleek wood cabinetry crafted by local artisan Pierre Lainez added more storage within the same compact footprint, while the white shiplap walls and ceiling enhance the cottage feel.

“We made an open staircase so that the light from the back and front of the house could filter in,” says Michel. To disguise the chimney in the middle of the kitchen that rose through the top floor as well, the designer clad it in white slats, making it an attractive design feature. –>

Off the kitchen in the original living room, the IDEA team designed a small den for Michel’s son, Léo. “We had a large sofa bed custom-made, and we installed a bookcase for his games and books, plus a TV so he could watch movies while I watch football,” says Michel.

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Michel built a large bathroom on the main floor; its walls are clad in marble from CIOT. Various zones within allow several people to use the space simultaneously.

The old house had just one tiny bathroom, so Michel created a shower room and sauna within the main floor extension. “We created different zones – a toilet area, a sink area, a shower area and a sauna – so everyone can do their thing,” he explains.

Upstairs, the challenge was to squeeze four good-sized bedrooms into a small area, says Vincent. “Because of the space itself and the angles of the roof, we had all the furniture built so we could maximize every inch,” she says, noting that each bedroom features a storage loft for seasonal items.

Michel and his family frequently end up in the newly built sauna after winter snowshoeing.

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“We call our terrasse The Caribou Lounge because one of the carpenters who came to help us, Steeve Vézina, was caribou-hunting up north, and the look for the house is fairly rustic,” says Michel. The furniture, covered with Sunbrella fabric, can withstand the elements.

Patrick Besnard, a local cabinetmaker, built the grey and black herringbone headboards in all four bedrooms.

Throughout the home, the IDEA designers chose to purchase or build local furnishings whenever possible. “We try to choose local products first, even in commercial projects,” says Vincent. Everything, from the headboards to the kitchen cabinets to the sectional sofa in the living room, was custom-made,” she says.

Now, with 1,900 square feet, the restored farmhouse can accommodate Michel’s large extended family. He and Vincent managed to keep the true essence of the historic house while tailoring it to everyone’s modern needs.

“This is an amazing space, secluded from everything; it’s peaceful,” Michel says. “When I look out at the horses, I feel like I’m miles from civilization.”

The family’s four chickens along with Michel’s horses are boarded at a friend’s place in the village for the winter. “We give away so many eggs each week; we get there on Friday, and there are always 15 eggs waiting for us,” he says. The chicken coop was designed by architect Valérie Gagné, working with Michel.

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A COZY PLACE FOR REST AT DAY’S END A Toronto home gets new bedrooms to welcome its owners after their busy workdays

BY SUSAN KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY: SCOTT NORSWORTHY STYLING: VERONICA MARTIN

SOME PEOPLE TAKE a sandwich approach to renovating. They start with the main floor and later layer on the levels above and below. But for the update of this 1960s-era Toronto home, “the homeowners wanted the four second-f loor bedrooms and the basement done first,” says Veronica Martin, interior designer and partner at Two Fold Interiors in Toronto. “It’s not the usual way of doing things.”

Understandable, though, given that the owners’ professions both require long hours — he is a lawyer, she’s a physician — making a place to lay a weary head de rigeur. They asked Martin, the project’s lead designer, to draw upon her experience in designing luxury hotels. The aim was to give a five-star feel to the private spaces in which the couple unwind. –>

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A master bedroom retreat worthy of an exclusive boutique hotel. The television, a must-have for the homeowners, is surrounded by custom-made cabinetry with shelves to display travel mementos.

Bed: LD Shoppe; pendant light: Union Lighting; rug: Imperial Carpet.

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The stage is set upon mounting the stairs to the second floor. “Many people underestimate how important the hallway is,” says Martin.

“It states your design intention for what lies beyond.” With its spa-like look, this one says, “come rest a while.” Floor-to-ceiling shiplap covers the walls, which are painted a soothing warm white: Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace (2121-70). It creates a bold contrast to the black doors that line it, leading to the bedrooms and children’s bathroom. Wide engineered white oak planks run underfoot and extend into the bedrooms.

For the bedrooms and basement of the 2,200-square-foot home, the designer applied

her signature approach to design, mixing classic details and modern elements in unexpected ways. The centrepiece of the master bedroom, for instance, takes the concept of a classic upholstered bed and gives it a chic and contemporary look. Flanking it are retrostyle side tables, while overhead, a bold and sophisticated black pendant light hangs. Both elements give a nod to the home’s mid-century roots. Shiplap covers the wall behind the bed and a bare-foot pleasing soft silk rug in warm neutral tones runs underneath. A short corridor off the master bedroom is lined with two pocket doors, one on each side, that lead to his and hers walk-in closets.

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The glassed-in shower area and freestanding tub flank the vanity. A ledge conceals plumbing for the elegant brushed-gold-finish tub filler and hand-held shower.

Shower system: Litze by Brizo; freestanding bathtub: Roman Bath; tiles: Ciot.

The opening also serves to frame the striking view of the vanity area in the master bathroom beyond. The floating white oak vanity gets the same modern-retro treatment. “I played with black accents in all the rooms — here the framing around the light fixtures and mirror and hardware — to echo the black doors used throughout the second floor,” says the designer. With so much going on in the vanity area, the rest of the bathroom is visually quiet. Porcelain marble-look tiles cover the floors and wrap up onto the walls of the shower area on one side and freestanding tub on the other. Brushed-goldfinished faucets, sconces and shower system add a luxe finishing touch. –>

An intricate interplay of materials makes the master bathroom’s vanity a standout feature, viewable from the bedroom. Mirrors: Mobilia; light fixtures: Union Lighting.

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The owners were equally concerned that their four-year-old twin girls and son, age 2, have their own bedrooms and a separate play area in the basement. “The children’s rooms are young and fun without being ‘kiddy-ish,’ ” says Martin. “Adding some classic architectural elements like wainscoting, wall panels and ceiling medallions means the rooms will grow with them and still be relevant in 10 years time.”

As well, the children’s bedrooms reflect their individual personalities. The son was especially excited about the design, as it would mark his first “big-boy” bed. And though twins, the girls have quite different tastes.

Horizontal shiplap, punctuated by dramatic black doors, helps create a serene ambience, which is repeated in the rest of the home’s design. Light fixture: CB2; white-oak engineered flooring: E-Floor.

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Each of the children’s rooms was given a wall covering that not only has a distinct personality but creates the room’s focal point.

The son’s room has a huge wall mural showing a map of the world. His globe-trotting parents can point to it when telling him stories about their travels, yet the design is sophisticated enough to still work when he’s older. One daughter has marble-look wallpaper covering the wall behind her high upholstered bed that boasts soft white linens and pink accessories.

The other daughter gets a big, bold flower mural inside wall panelling. –>

Striking and whimsical light fixtures in the children’s rooms add individual personality and youthful design flair to each. Light fixtures in girls’ rooms (opposite, and this page, bottom): CB2; boy’s room (this page, top): Wayfair.

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Two spa-like oases created by a sophisticated mix of materials. The basement bathroom (above) gives wood-look ceramic tiles the starring role. In the children’s bathroom (below), a chic concrete vanity top is the standout.

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The basement family room is simply furnished with

The basement family room posed a challenge for the designer. While having space for the children to play was very important, so was using the room for other purposes.

That means toys and games need to be easily tucked away when the family descends to hang out and watch television. The mother of two young daughters herself, Martin knows how essential large floor-level bins are for little ones to use. She placed a row of them in the custom built-in cabinet designed to frame the wall-mounted screen facing a comfy sectional. Beside it, a tall cabinet conceals auxiliary electronics and things best kept out of reach, such as board games with small pieces that are choking hazards. A Murphy bed installed on one wall lets the room serve as an occasional guest room. Visitors also have access to the three-piece bathroom with full shower on the same level.

The family reports making good use of all areas and enjoying the unique, timeless design with a soupçon of elegance. “I’m looking forward to designing the main floor renovation for them,” says Martin, “so we can link all the spaces.”

modern-style pieces that acknowledge the home’s mid-century roots. White doors lead to a music room that houses a piano. Sectional sofa: Article; side tables: West Elm; lamps: CB2.

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SEE, TOUCH, EXPERIENCE Shopping in person is an excellent way to visualize how furniture and accessories would look in one’s home

There was a time when all shopping took place in brick-and-mortar stores. Oh sure, there were mail-order companies, but people generally visited retail outlets to find the products they wanted. Then came the Internet, and shoppers began ordering products online. However, many are discovering that shopping in person offers many more advantages than online shopping affords. Designer Nancy Gray and design consultant Suhaila Niazi, at Montreal’s Avenue Design, say customers continue to favour store visits when they need help decorating their homes. We asked them about the services that in-person shopping offers.

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QUESTION: Nancy, what is the role of a brickand-mortar store in the digital era of online shopping?

ANSWER: Seeing the furniture displayed allows clients to experience its quality and beauty. It also allows them to visualize their space and be inspired and excited by our displays and presentation. You cannot know what quality you are buying by looking at a photo online. We research our products thoroughly so that we bring in those that are of a quality that we are proud to display.

Q: What is the advantage of experiencing design and products in person?

A: At Avenue Design, we are designers. We understand our clients’ needs and desires, and we meet and often exceed their expectations.

Experiencing design in person allows clients to feel and touch the products. Our furniture and displays are influenced by famous designers in the industry, and we showcase a transitional, classic-contemporary styling unique to Avenue Design. Our showroom displays furnishings for every room in the home to accommodate individuals’ lifestyles.

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Q: What do you have in-store to help people imagine the products in their homes?

A: Our styling and luxury-boutique concept give our clients an opportunity to visualize what their dream spaces can look like.

Q: What services do you offer that are not available online?

A: We encourage our clients to bring inspiration photos, pictures of their space, and any measurements that can help our designers visualize solutions we can offer. We also offer home consultations, in which one of our professional designers visits the clients’ home to take measurements, enabling us to do floor plans for beautiful and functional designs. We respect the needs and budget of the client.

Q: What would be the advantage for clients to visit Avenue Design with photos that inspire them?

A: This gives the designer a sense of taste and direction when creating the clients’ space. We research furnishings and finishings for the perfect decor. The resources and companies we partner with give our clients a one-stop

shopping experience. Our showroom also showcases unique accessories and art, area rugs, and lighting for all spaces.

Q: What kind of projects does Avenue Design take on?

A: It is like a relationship. It takes care and understanding to develop a space whether a client is looking for only that perfect lamp, a sofa, a living room, or an entire home. We assist them to find the right solution for their

home. We can also give an overall view by preparing floor plans and design concepts to help them visualize their space. We customize and personalize each space, item or project and take pride in the work we do.

Avenue Design 3425 Côte Vertu Blvd., St. Laurent 514-340-9351 www.avenuedesigncanada.com

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RIGHTING THE LAY OF THE LAND

A bucolic property in Quebec’s countryside that is prone to water problems gets a spectacular new garden

BY CHERYL CORNACCHIA PHOTOGRAPHY: ANGUS MCRITCHIE

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A 50-ACRE PROPERTY NEAR Knowlton, in the Eastern Townships, already provided its owners with unparalleled views of surrounding mountains and valleys. What they needed was to better see the natural beauty of their own property, and the countryside around them.

The property was endowed with several ponds and a forest, but the area near the main house – garden beds and borders, in-ground swimming pool, patio, and separate garage

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building – were undeveloped. There was no overall vision linking the various garden elements to one another or to the larger landscape. And further complicating the landscape renovation was Mother Nature herself.

Every year, natural springs and snowmelt from higher ground flowed down and flooded parts of the property. Poor drainage left the area behind the garage and some of the lawns soggy for much of the spring and summer. “There were areas of the property that

were just forgotten,” says Nathalie Desjean, the landscape architect at Stuart Webster Design, the award-winning Montreal-firm that oversaw the rebuilding project. “Even the clients said: ‘Don’t bother about the area behind the garage. It’s too wet.’ ” But, adds Desjean: “We had to fix the site so that whatever we would create would work. The clients understood the importance of doing things right for the long term.” –>

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New plantings enhance the property’s already considerable beauty. Ornamental grasses and shrubs cover a septic bed. White birch trees overlook the natural pond.

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The remedial work accounted for 15 to 20 per cent of the overall budget. The first part of the job was devoted to assessing the site.

Then the property was graded, trenches dug, and French drains installed in key locations.

The goal was to divert the water to lower-lying areas, away from the house and gardens. The single-slope garage roof was outfitted with gutters to help remove water and free up space for development.

Once the site had been prepared – during the first summer of a three-year project – the work began on the landscape redesign, which would harmonize the property with the natural landscape, and connect its various elements.

The redesign entailed renovating the pool and outdoor dining areas and integrating them into the landscape with new garden beds; creating a new pétanque court in an underused area of the property; developing the nature trails to give access to the forest; concealing an unsightly septic bed in front of the house; building an enclosed vegetable garden with raised beds; and adding hundreds of new plantings – birch trees, grasses and flowering shrubs and perennials – for monochromatic white gardens.

“There are structured gardens closer to the house, but as you move away from the house, the landscape becomes looser and more natural,” Desjean explains. “There’s a lot to discover in the garden.”

(Above) A new pétanque court adds recreational purpose and pleasure to an undeveloped side lawn. (Left) A variety of hostas, boxwoods, Annabelle hydrangeas, ornamental grasses and white flowers create a leafy new border.

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From a stone bench erected at one end of the pétanque court and near an existing grove of white birches and white peonies, the homeowners can now see down the rolling hill in front of the house to the natural pond. The view includes a large planting of ornamental grasses, which grow atop the septic bed.

There’s a lovely green space at the entrance to the new nature paths through the property’s forest. Surrounded by tall white pines, spruce and other trees, a pair of stone lovers call the quiet corner home. The Kiss, a voluptuous-looking sculpture of a couple in an embrace, by Italian sculptor Matteo Lo Greco, was chosen as a piece that reflects nature’s bounty. –>

(Above, right) The homeowners were keen on having a cottage-garden-style potager. The garden’s raised beds facilitate planting, weeding and harvesting.

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The swimming pool area was renovated to make it more inviting for lounging and dining. The concrete slabs around the pool were repaired, and natural stone was incorporated to better define the space. Long borders of boxwood, white Kyushu hydrangeas, Krinkle peonies and white alliums enhance the space.

White roses and yews were planted in new borders alongside the walkways and driveway at the front of the house.

White Annabelle hydrangeas, hostas and grasses were planted in new beds that abut the lower level of the house and its stone foundation. “We wanted to soften the look,� explains Desjean, pointing out the Miscanthus, a tall feathery ornamental grass at the end of one of the beds. Five more white birches were planted and surrounded by boxwood to balance and replicate the grove near the main entrance.

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The hydrangeas were a special request of the homeowners. At one end of the swimming pool, Hydrangea paniculata ‘Kyushu’ bears bold, conical-shaped flowers that stay in bloom from mid-summer to late fall.

Topping it all off, a cottage-garden-style potager, enclosed in deer-proof fencing, was installed in the area behind the garage that couldn’t be used before because of flooding.

Glimpses of the garden can be seen from the lounge chairs on the pool’s patio. It is planted with spring bulbs for the beginning of the season and a mix of flowers, herbs and vegetables for summer.

Desjean says the couple, who are now planning to retire on the country estate, couldn’t be happier with the new landscape design and the way the garden has matured. “I think we didn’t just meet their expectations,” she says.

“We surpassed them, thanks to a trusting and collaborative effort between ourselves and these wonderful clients.”

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BUYERS’ GUIDE

OME FIELD ADVANTAGE Falken Reynolds Interiors www.falkenreynolds.com 604-568-9487

A COZY PLACE FOR REST AT DAY’S END Two Fold Interiors www.twofoldinteriors.com 416-532-3653

A TASTE FOR ATYPICAL THINGS Lisa Lev Design www.lisalevdesign.com 416-802-4863

SEE, TOUCH, EXPERIENCE Avenue Design www.avenuedesigncanada.com 514-340-9351

PICTURE THIS RP Design www.rpinteriordesign.ca 416-727-5817

BACK TO HER ROOTS Buk & Nola www.buknola.com 514-357-2680

RIGHTING THE LAY OF THE LAND Stuart Webster Design www.swdla.com 514-398-0930

IN AN ENGLISH GARDEN Glenna Partridge Garden Design www.houzz.com/pro/gardengrl/ glenna-partridge-garden-design 604-716-4790

SLIGHTLY SEPARATE Ancerl Studio www.ancerlstudio.com 416-884-6020

MAKE THE MOST OF A MODEST SPACE Nadine Thomson Interior Design www.nadinethomson.com 514-775-2259 REBRANDING THE FAMILY COTTAGE STGM Architectes www.stgm.net Quebec ~ 418-626-8224 Montreal ~ 514-274-8410 IDEA - Intégration Design et Architecture www.idea-qc.net Quebec ~ 418-626-8404 Montreal ~ 514-274-8410

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A BEAUTIFUL ANTIDOTE TO URBAN LIFE Dvira Interiors www.dvira.com 416-457-8827 BLACK AND WHITE AND GREEN ALL OVER Terra Firma Design www.terrafirmadesign.ca 416-881-7739

A GRANDE DAME IS BACK IN HER ELEMENT Hodgins & Associates Landscape Architects www.heta.ca 514-989-2391

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NEXT ISSUE

Now is the moment. There has never been a more important or urgent time in human history to nurture our planet than right now. Right now, the Earth needs our love, respect and reverence.

It needs us to clean up our act, both collectively and individually. What can we, as individuals, do to help our planet and our climate heal? Read the Trends issue of Home in Canada to find out. It’s packed with stories about what we can do to create a sustainable future, starting with our homes and our consumption habits. The Trends issue: on sale in early July.

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PRESENTING ART INSPIRED FURNITURE

Where each piece is as functional as it is beautiful. Rethink the role furniture plays in your space.

www.avenuedesigncanada.com | 3425 boul. de la Cote-Vertu | Saint-Laurent | 514-340-9351

ÂŤ Bring us your renovation plans or make an appointment with us.

Our designers will create a unique design for you ! Âť We specialize in kitchen furnishings, bathrooms, laundry rooms and walk-in closets.

www.clubcuisinebcbg.com

450-978-2582

3611, autoroute 440, Laval