Montreal Home - Winter 2018-19

THE

WINTER GIVE GENEROUSLY

ISSUE

UNDER COVERS

Our annual holiday gift guide

SOCIAL COMMENTARY

Beds, linens and bedroom design

Lesley Hampton uses her fashion designs to make strong statements

HOLIDAY IN HAVANA Beyond Cuba’s all-inclusive resorts

LIGHTING GUIDE

From pendants to chandeliers and more

$6.95

LANDSCAPE RENOS

POWDER ROOM BEFORE AND AFTER

www.movatohome.com

YIN ASTROLOGY

THE EYES ARE THE MIRROR OF THE SOUL!

E. Hashim, Plastic Surgeon

Although the eyes cover a small part of the face, it is easy to understand why eyelid beauty is so important. So much emotion and expression is conveyed through the eyes that it is no wonder that much effort goes into enhancing their communicative powers. A beautiful look to the eye is one where the pupil is properly framed by the brow, skin and lashes so that the inner self can be seen and expressed. As with many other things in life, the eyes do change with age; the brows can descend to give a sad look, the skin of the upper eyelid can droop causing problems with make-up, the lower eyelid can sag and develop bags to give a tired look.

Many of these changes can be corrected with simple procedures done under local anesthesia. Drop by and see if your tiny mirrors could do with a little polish!

MD,CM, M.Sc, FRCS(C), FACS • First Prize in Surgery at McGill University • Diplomate of American Board of Plastic Surgery (United States) • Fellow in Plastic Surgery (Royal College of Surgeons Canada) FRCSC • Fellow in Plastic Surgery (American College of Surgeons, U.S) FACS • MSc.(Experimental Surgery) McGill University

facelift | breast & silhouette | non surgical treatments 2381 Gouin West Blvd. (near l’Acadie) www.ccpmtl.com | www.surgeryclinic.ca | info@ccpmtl.com | Phone : 514 277-6644 |

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

Gentle Readers, I am happy and proud to introduce myself as the new publisher of Montreal Home.

We have inspiring news! Early in 2019, this magazine will become part of an exciting new national publication. We will reach a much wider audience. Rest assured; we will continue our traditional distribution to Toronto and Montreal. We will also embrace the Maritimes, the Prairies and all of the wonderful “Wild West.” We will cover the whole of this glorious land and will reach as many of our wonderful citizens as possible.

Each issue will feature stories about interior design, gardening, art and lifestyle that you have grown to love, in addition to plenty of new content! We will cover such diverse subjects as commercial design, up-and-coming designers and indigenous culture and its particular design aesthetic. I have enjoyed my trips to Europe to discover new trends in design, and will venture far afield to find many other topics in design and architecture heretofore unexplored.

Our web platform will also be much larger and more interactive as we expand across the country.

Dear readers, please be assured that I am open to your comments and ideas. Do write to me if you would like to see a story about a particular subject that is relevant to Canadian design. I cannot promise to publish, but I will consider it.

I also promise that you will continue to receive the high quality of journalism and photography you have enjoyed on these pages.

Our team will stay in place; Stephanie Whittaker, our brilliant editor-in-chief, will continue to be at the helm. Please write to us both with your comments and ideas.

I am confident and happy to begin this journey with you to a bright and forward-looking future for this beautiful magazine.

SHARON AZRIELI Publisher

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Š 2018 Gloria Bass DesiGn inc

514.933.7062

1361-1 Greene ave. Westmount

Gloriabassdesign.com

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EDITOR’S LETTER

EVERYTHING THAT IS DESIGNED – from furniture and footwear to clothing and cars – morphs and evolves according to our tastes and technological advancements. Even the food we eat changes and is subject to the whim of our evolving palates. Consider some of the mainstream food trends we’ve witnessed in the past few decades: veganism, raw food, raw fish, blackened fish, gluten-free, fat-free, sugar-free, salt-free, dairy-free, free-range, sushi, sliders, smoothies, paleo, ovo-lacto vegetarianism, pescetarianism, avocado toast, bone broth, cupcakes, quinoa and kale chips.

I could go on, but you get the idea. Food trends come and go. Yesterday’s Spam quiche is – shudder! – today’s bacon maple ice cream.

Isn’t it wonderful that soup, one of the oldest foods in the human diet, is always … well, soup? Of course, this beloved food changes over time as savvy cooks experiment with recipes. But soup is one of the staples that we associate with stability, warmth, comfort and care. What’s the first thing we crave when we’re fighting a cold? Soup. What’s the best accompaniment to a grilled cheese sandwich?

Soup. It’s also one of the best foods we can eat during the winter in Canada where it’s just too darn cold for a raw-food diet. Our bodies need warmth and soup does the job so well.

In this issue, writer Julie Gedeon tells us all about soup and the role it plays as our perfect winter panacea. She spoke with soup chefs across the country for their take on how we can cook and eat soup that not only nourishes, but heals, too.

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

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And because this is the Winter issue, we show you how to create the kind of bedroom that nourishes the soul. As the light levels decrease in the winter and our bodies crave more sleep, we have a strong desire to rest in a well-appointed bedroom with beautiful bed linens to warm us. Writers Susan Kelly and Cheryl Cornacchia show us how to create a welcoming space for sweet repose.

If warmer climates beckon to you, do read our feature about Cuba by globe-trotting blogger, La Carmina. Forget the all-inclusive resorts, she advises, and head to Havana for the culture, music, history, architecture, and food. Yes, the food. “People often complain about bland food in Cuba,” La Carmina told me, “but I ate really great food in Havana.”

Her story is on page 86.

The holidays are almost here so we give you our annual holiday gift guide. And, as always, we profile many spectacular homes to inspire you as you cocoon this winter.

Hey, it’s cold out there. Hunker down, cook a pot of soup and enjoy this issue of Montreal Home.

STEPHANIE WHITTAKER Editor-in-Chief stephanie@movatohome.com

NEW

2 SIDED SHOWER DOOR ALSO FEATURING: LUNA SUNRIZE LIGHTED MIRROR / LUNA MERIDIAN PETITE VANITY

A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES FOR YOUR BATHROOM

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CONTRIBUTORS

CHERYL CORNACCHIA As more of our time at home is spent in open-concept living space, the bedroom has become an even more precious sanctuary. Writer Cheryl Cornacchia says in researching a story about two bedrooms created by Dvira Ovadia that she learned how powerful a single wall of wallpaper can be in personalizing a private space. “Toronto interior designer Dvira Ovadia has a real talent for creating statement walls that make each bedroom unique,” Cheryl says.

JULIE GEDEON Seasoned writer Julie Gedeon lives in a household where soup makes everyone cheerier. She’s glad to see that many notable eateries across Canada are offering innovative soups as a nutritious, affordable choice for meals, and she appreciated having the opportunity to speak with leading nutritionist Julie Daniluk whose books occupy a convenient shelf in her home.

KAREN SEIDMAN Like many Quebecers, contributor Karen Seidman thought of a typical dark-brown A-frame when people spoke of their ski chalets, which are popular as weekend retreats in this climate. But profiling two contemporary ski chalets for this issue showed her that today’s approach to great design is not at all restricted to city homes. “These angular, minimalistic country homes get their warmth from their integration into the surrounding nature, with fabulous floor-to-ceiling windows, and lots of wood trim,” Karen says. “The unique architecture showcases a new type of country living, something that goes beyond rustic-chic to incorporate modern styles into stunning 21st-century weekend homes for families.”

ELISABETH KALBFUSS “The exterior of the house needed a lot of love,” is how Isaniel Lévesque describes a St. Sauveur chalet transformed from ugly duckling to stunning swan. The project manager for Alain Carle Architecte told contributor Elisabeth Kalbfuss how the Scandinavian-inspired design of the hillside house led its owners to reconsider tearing it down, opting to rebuild it instead. Elisabeth is a regular contributor to Montreal Home.

SUSAN KELLY As days grow cooler, thoughts turn inward and to a warm duvet. What lies beneath (and overtop): a lot of style, as writer Susan Kelly discovered. It’s all about artful expression, she learned in talking to experts across Canada about the latest trends in bedroom design. Gazing upwards, in her regular astrology column, Susan examines the astral influences that make winter an especially yin season and drive our decor choices. She also profiles Lesley Hampton, a Toronto fashion designer whose work is heating up the runways. “Lesley combines social awareness with couture in a way that is truly inspired and inspiring,” Susan says.

“And her latest collection is breathtaking.”

Volume 10, number 6, Winter Issue 2018-2019 Date of Issue: November, 2018

6100 TransCanada Highway Suite 100, Pointe-Claire Quebec H9R 1B9

PUBLISHER Dr. Sharon Azrieli CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Stanley Kirsh

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Stephanie Whittaker ART DIRECTOR Randy Laybourne EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Carmen Lefebvre ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Neve Foltz CONTRIBUTORS Cheryl Cornacchia Julie Gedeon Patrick Gervais Elisabeth Kalbfuss Susan Kelly La Carmina Tracey MacKenzie Brenda O’Farrell Phillipa Rispin Karen Seidman Nadine Thomson PHOTOGRAPHERS Prashant Bhat Ulysse Lemerise Bouchard Anka Buzolitch David Dworkind Jean-François Grégoire Alexandre Guilbeault Eric J. Hughes Martin Tessler Raphaël Thibodeau Laura Tonopa STYLISTS Nicole Sjostedt

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1-866-846-1640 movatohome.com sales@movatohome.com

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Azrieli PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Wendy Loper CONTROLLER Jenny Marques DIRECTOR OF SALES - NATIONAL Kelly Chicoine ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE Caroline Rho For sales inquiries, please email Kelly Chicoine: kelly@movatohome.com or Caroline Rho: caroline@movatohome.com LEGAL DEPOSIT 1920-1370 Montreal Home magazine Inc. 2018. All rights reserved.

Any copying or reproduction of content without the written permission of Montreal Home magazine is strictly prohibited. Publication # 41959020 issn

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CONTENTS

24 ON THE COVER WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE This home in the lower St. Lawrence region puts its owners in touch with nature

76 BLENDING IN

A home on the shores of Lake Memphremagog is designed to fit in with the landscape

HELLO, HAVANA!

Skip the all-inclusive vacation this winter and check out Cuba’s wonderful capital city

86 144 WHY WAIT FOR SPRING? DO IT NOW

Late autumn and early winter are the best times to plan a landscape design and reno 12

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Canada’s Ultimate Destination

Today’s Finest Contemporary & Most Up-to-Date Collections

B E D D I N G • B AT H • D E C O R • K I T C H E N • G I F T S • E L E C T R I C S • TA B L E T O P • G L A S S & B A R W A R E • M AT T R E S S

linenchest.com

29 stores

Canadian owned

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CONTENTS

MAJOR MAKEOVER

A St. Sauveur chalet is transformed and given back the Scandinavian design it had 50 years ago

6 PUBLISHER’S LETTER 8 EDITOR’S LETTER

96

16 THIS JUST IN A selection of new items for your home 36 EASY TO BE GREEN Large windows and a wall of plants create a natural, light-filled ambience in an Outremont home 46 ABOUT FACE Tina Cartier’s figurative art depicts strong, swashbuckling women 54 A MEETING OF MINDS By conferring with their architect and designer, a couple create the home of their dreams 66 YIN-STYLE COMFORT The astrological outlook for the cocooning season 68 GO FOR THE GIFTS Our annual gift guide helps you spoil those you love

SOUP’S ON

Winter is blissful when it’s warmed by a bowl of delicious soup

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114 FAMILY FUN A Laurentian country property is a serene getaway for a multi-generational family 130 LIVING WITH HISTORY A 19th century home in Saint-Ambroise-de-Kildare that started life as a bakery is now on the market 138 CLOTHED IN COMMENTARY Fashion designer Lesley Hampton uses her work to make social and cultural statements 150 COMFY, COZY AND ECLECTIC A new trend in bedroom design embraces a non-matching approach to linens and furnishings 158 FUNKY REPOSE A Toronto couple create a bedroom sanctuary for themselves and a cool space for their son 162 CHOOSE THE BEST It’s recommended that cosmetic plastic surgery be done by a certified plastic surgeon 164 HAPPY COLOURS A Mumbai apartment is designed in strong hues and a mix of traditional and contemporary furnishings 174 POWDER ROOM BEFORE-AND-AFTER Interior designer Nadine Thomson uses dramatic design on this makeover

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122 ALL LIT UP

A guide to the best lighting fixtures on the market now

Telephone: (450) 629-5757 Telephone: (514) 990-0548

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND ENTER OUR CONTEST www.centredesignrealite.com

General contractor RBQ : 8239-1210-13 1856 boulevard des Laurentides, Vimont, Laval

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DESIGN

1. TAKING WING The new Bat lounge chair, which comes in a high- and low-back version, is designed by the Danish-Italian design duo GamFratesi. The chair’s distinctive shell is reminiscent of the shape of a bat’s wingspan. With a Scandinavian approach to simplicity and functionalism, its design is minimalist. Available in a wide range of upholstery and bases.

Celadon Collection 170 Peel St., Montreal 514-932-3306 www.celadoncollection.com 1 2

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3. RING AROUND THE JEWELS Bejewel your hands with these mesmerizing stacking rings from Gloria Bass Design, made of 18kt yellow gold. Available also in 18kt white gold and rose gold.

Gloria Bass Design 1361-1 Greene Ave., Westmount 514-933-7062 www.gloriabassdesign.com

2. CLEAN AND CONVENIENT Accessorize your living space with this stylish and practical accent table that has a lift-off tray for easy serving and a smooth surface for easy cleaning. Its curved edge keeps objects from falling off. Place a few around the room to create a contemporary look. Features include chrome-finished hardware and a sturdy X base. Available in black and white. 20˝H. Linen Chest www.linenchest.com

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4393 St Denis St, Montreal, QC H2J 2L2 t:514-288-3836 f: 514-288-8984 www.quidortdine.ca

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DESIGN

2. OFF THE WALL This free-standing etagere has cantilevered shelves that allow you to create beautiful displays.

Available in more than 80 finishes.

Cocoon Furnishings 2695 Bristol Cir., Unit 2, Oakville 905-829-2780

1. WARM WAFFLE WEAVE

www.cocoonfurnishings.ca

This waffle-weave bedding in 100 per cent linen is available in natural or off-white colours. The duvet covers, pillow shams and toss pillows come in all sizes, including custom. Woven in Italy; sewn in Canada.

Qui Dort Dine 4393 St. Denis St., Montreal 514-288-3836 www.quidortdine.ca 2

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3. FUN WITH FONDUE This digital three-in-one fondue set by Ricardo features exclusive new technology for precise temperature control. Each function is programmed to maintain the ideal temperature for all fondue selections.

Impress your dinner guests with this ingenious fondue pot with automatic functions for broth, cheese and chocolate.

Available at Linen Chest.

Linen Chest www.linenchest.com

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THE ART OF LIVING WITHOUT COMPROMISE

BUSINESS HOURS Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 4 :00 p.m.

Evenings by appointment

LONGUEUIL 635 boul. Guimond Longueil (Quebec) J4G 1L9 450.651.6941 MONTRÉAL 4865 Jean Talon West Montreal (Quebec) H4P 1W7 514.735.7113

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DESIGN

1. WALL FEATURE The Luna medicine cabinet by Fleurco is available in various sizes and configurations, including single view, bi-view and tri-view. It features a copper-free mirror on the inside and outside, Blum hinges, eight-millimetre tempered-glass shelves, and softclose doors. Edges are available as flat or bevelled, and the unit can be wall-mounted or recessed.

Fleurco Products Inc. 4574 Poirier Blvd., Montreal 514-326-2222 ~ 1-800-993-0033 www.fleurco.com

1 2

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3. DAZZLING DUO These exquisite earrings are crafted of 18kt yellow gold with an eyecatching cascade of aquamarines, morganite and yellow sapphires.

They’re one-of-a-kind and available at Gloria Bass Design.

Gloria Bass Design 1361-1 Greene Ave., Westmount 514-933-7062 www.gloriabassdesign.com

2. SUBLIME SLUMBER The Dylan duvet cover bedding collection will complement your decor with its warm and chic design accented with faux-leather details. This set includes one duvet cover and two pillow shams (one sham with the twin set). Also available: sham, euro sham, breakfast and square cushions.

Available at Linen Chest.

Linen Chest www.linenchest.com

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made affordable, made for you

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Shop online for: Custom-made Curtains & Blinds | Drapery Fabric www.fabricville.com

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www.vanico-maronyx.com ENTIRELY MADE HERE IN QUEBEC, CANADA

DESIGN

WELCOME A BOA R D A home design inspired by the shape of sailboats gives its owners a spectacular view of wilderness

BY KAREN SEIDMAN PHOTOGRAPHY: ALEXANDRE GUILBEAULT

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DESIGN MONTREAL WINTER 2018/2019

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DESIGN

The homeowners didn’t want their home near Le Massif in Charlevoix to be a typical ski chalet. The StÝv fireplace bestows warmth and a contemporary look on the living room, which gets structural support from the X braces.

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DESIGN MONTREAL WINTER 2018/2019

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BY MARC TURGEON’S OWN ADMISSION, one is more likely to encounter a moose than another human being near his stunning home in the Charlevoix region of Quebec.

For a guy who is transparent about his well-documented “wild side,” some may say the home – on the shores of the St. Lawrence River in a town called Petite-Rivière-SaintFrançois – appeals to that side of Marc.

Others may argue that the tranquility of it is meant to calm him. In fact, it is probably a little of both. As someone who previously owned two sailboats (one aptly named Le

Temps Sauvage, or Wild Time), Marc clearly loves navigating life both on the cusp of a wave and in placid waters.

Which brings us back to his unusual home, towering above the river that dominates this picturesque region of Quebec. (At 1,696 feet above sea level, it is higher than the lookout level of the CN Tower in Toronto, which stands at 1,135 feet). Built of white pine that has been painted white, with red-cedar trim, the house is meant to capture the feel of the sailboats Marc has so loved. •

The Ligne Roset sofas underscore the colourful painting by Dominic Besner, which is suspended for maximum impact on a wall of windows as it is a favourite of the homeowners.

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DESIGN

Inside, on the main level, which is the highest floor of the house, in rooms that have floor-toceiling glass walls, there is a feeling of being afloat above the water. “Sailing was definitely the inspiration for this house,” says Marc, who uses the home on weekends with his wife, Nancy Guay, and their two teenagers.

“We love the travelling and purity of sailing, and the tranquility. It is a real dream house for us.”

Marc and Nancy knew what they wanted when they decided to build near the Le Massif ski area. But they needed someone to interpret and realize their ideas, and they recognized the right connection as soon as they met architect Olivier Bourgeois, of a then-upstart, innovative firm called Bourgeois/Lechasseur Architectes in Quebec City.

“They definitely wanted something unusual and very complex,” says Bourgeois.

“There is a special form to this house and many peculiarities.”

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He loved working with what he describes as very “colourful” clients. It was one of the first homes the firm designed, and it firmly established its contemporary approach, inspired by the landscape.

Bourgeois says he was inf luenced by certain Scandinavian villas when designing the house. With the widest part of the home being the top-level main floor, the house is described as “floating.” The upstairs main living area capitalizes on the view but it also creates a practical use of space, as well as a covered area for a patio and swimming pool. The lowest level features an office, gym, wine cellar, and access to the pool. The mid-level houses the children’s quarters with two bedrooms, a bathroom, mud room and living room. And the upper level houses the master bedroom and ensuite bathroom, with spectacular views from both the bed and bath, as well as the living room, kitchen and dining area. •

DESIGN MONTREAL WINTER 2018/2019

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Inspired by the couple’s love of sailing, the design of the house makes the structure appear to float above the St. Lawrence River.

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DESIGN

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DESIGN MONTREAL WINTER 2018/2019

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The spectacular master ensuite bathroom offers stunning views in a spacious, sumptuous and private retreat that is gloriously sunny and where a soak in the tub is divine.

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DESIGN

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DESIGN MONTREAL WINTER 2018/2019

The concrete floors and mostly white furnishings are warmed by the red-cedar ceilings and the splash of colour from the Ligne Roset sofas. In the autumn, Marc says, the sofas really seem to bring the fall foliage colours surrounding the house right indoors.

One of the master strokes of the main level is the gorgeous Stûv fireplace that floats in the midst of glass walls. Bourgeois cleverly designed a lift in the basement to haul up logs for the fireplace.

Another unusual item on a glass wall is a painting by Montreal artist Dominic Besner. Bourgeois came up with the idea of suspending it on the glass wall (without obstructing the view) and Marc says it really showcases a favourite art piece well.

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The X braces which define the glass walls are another unique feature. Normally, says Bourgeois, they would be contained within a wall for structural support. Here, he decided to use them as a funky accent in the contemporary living room.

With glass on three sides of the living room, there is almost a 360-degree view of the area from the room, which is a favourite spot, Marc says. “When you wake up in the morning, there is so much sun in the house,” he says. “There’s such a good feeling.”

The couple recently sold the home thanks to what Marc calls “the exceptional work” of their real estate broker Guillaume Lecuyer.

“Nancy and I are ready for a new adventure,” he says. •

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At our Firm, our primary goal is to convert real estate challenges into solutions for developers, landlords, and managers so that they can focus on optimizing and protecting their returns on investment.

1255 Robert Bourassa, Suite 401, Montreal, Quebec, E: mail@davidghavitian.com P: 514-882-2920 www.davidghavitian.com

TURNKEY SERVICE - KITCHENS - BATHROOMS PLANNING - BUILDING - DESIGNERS LARGE SHOWROOM FREE ESTIMATE PERSONALIZED SERVICE CUSTOM BUILDING RBQ: 8259- 0449-25

DESIGN

EASY TO BE GREEN

Large windows and a wall of plants create a natural and light-filled ambience in an Outremont home

BY BRENDA O’FARRELL PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVID DWORKIND

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DESIGN MONTREAL WINTER 2018/2019

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DESIGN

THIS IS A TALE OF TRANSFORMATION of a two-storey brick house in Outremont, where tradition and trend reside together. It is also the story of limits and light – how to eliminate one and incorporate the other.

Oh, and it’s also about a green wall – a living, lush and luxurious show-stopper that might just be the next big thing in modern residential spaces.

This story begins with a professional couple from South America with two children in search of their first house. “We went looking for a house to renovate completely and create a space we were comfortable with,” one of the owners, a doctor, explains.

They settled on a home built in the 1940s that had all the basic elements they were seeking: a south-facing backyard, the right interior space and lots of natural light. But what was more, all these essential elements could be improved upon. So they bought the house with the plan to do just that. •

The green wall is a fascinating and innovative feature of the living room.

It is suspended over the opening that connects the space to the den.

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DESIGN MONTREAL WINTER 2018/2019

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The floating staircase leads to the open second floor, where the office has a full view of the living room and the green wall below.

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DESIGN

The semi-transparent panel opens, connecting the lower den to the living room.

It is made of a thin sheet of powder-coated steel that has been perforated with 18,000 tiny holes, and can be opened or closed.

“For them, sunshine was important,” explains Stéphane Rasselet, the lead architect and owner of Nature Humaine, the Montreal architecture firm that designed the home’s transformation.

To increase the amount of natural light that fills the space, Rasselet installed a 26-footwide wall of windows on the back side of the house that opens to the backyard. The four-panelled floor-to-ceiling vitrine with two

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central panes that offers access to the garden, frames the main living area of the house – the kitchen, dining room and living room.

He also installed a skylight above the living room and stairway. But it was not just any skylight. This roof window, which opens by remote control, measures 30 inches wide and eight feet long. “The idea was to bring natural light in, and bring natural light to the green wall,” Rasselet says.

DESIGN MONTREAL WINTER 2018/2019

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Ah, the green wall. It’s the first feature that draws attention to those entering the house.

It’s a living, breathing, and exotic conversation piece whose size only adds to its impressive qualities. “I come from a tropical country in South America,” the owner says. “I wanted the lush greenery of the tropics to compensate for the lack of green of the winter.”

But he admits that the wall was his wife’s idea. •

The kitchen is filled with natural light thanks to the 26-foot-wide patio door/wall that warms the white oak floor.

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DESIGN

“We admired many green walls like this, but they are in commercial settings, not residential buildings,” he says.

The wall, which is made of panels that are two metres by two metres square and covered with layers of felt, contain a clustered collection of 10 varieties of tropical plants.

“It’s kind of like the key feature of the indoor environment,” the owner says. “It gives you a refreshing feeling, especially in the winter when everything is white outside. Sitting in front of this wall is energizing.”

The limited colour palette of natural wood, greys, whites and blues that is used throughout the house is continued in the second-floor bathrooms, including the master ensuite that features a floating teak vanity.

The children’s bathroom features a large shower with a window and blue and white tiles that create a pattern on both the floor and walls.

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Another notable feature of this house is that its design eliminated most of the full walls. In their stead are open rooms and spaces divided by partial barriers – such as the semi-transparent steel sliding panel between the living room and the den, which is situated on a slightly higher level, above the garage.

“We created transparency between spaces – like opening the space between the living room and the den. We eliminated the idea of a wall in that space,” Rasselet says. “All the rooms connect. There is a kind of fluidity to it.”

DESIGN MONTREAL WINTER 2018/2019

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This blue block includes access to the front entrance vestibule, and incorporates storage space and a small powder room, while providing shelf space that fronts the living room.

The office on the second floor is also connected to the main floor courtesy of a partial wall that allows a view of the green wall in the living room. “It opens up horizontally as well as vertically at the same time,” Rasselet continues. “All the spaces are sort of intricate.”

The effect creates a cohesive whole.

“During the summer months, my favourite part of the house is the kitchen and dining room,” the owner says. “That is because of the big opening to the backyard. You have a view

of the whole garden. In the winter, it’s the family room with the green wall.”

It’s a place where every member of this family of voracious readers gravitates to when they curl up with a book, his wife adds. “This is our first house, and unless something exceptional happens, this will be our last house for a long, long time,” she says.

It would be tough to beat living with light and few limits. •

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ART

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ART MONTREAL WINTER 2018/2019

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ABOUT FACE Mixed-media portraits by Montreal artist Tina Cartier depict strong, defiant women

BY JULIE GEDEON

TINA CARTIER’S PORTRAITS OF WOMEN reflect the seductive boldness of defying traditional norms. “I want to affirm strong women possessing loads of character and redefining what it is to be female,” says Cartier, a Montreal-area mixed-media artist.

Cartier’s solo exhibition, titled The Theory of “She,” opened at Galerie le 1040 in Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood last spring. More recently, the artist participated in the Mtl en Arts 2018 festival, and won the coup de coeur (public choice award). Her works are also featured on ARTBOMB, the Canadian subscriber-based daily online art auction. •

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ART

Each portrait is brought to life through vivid colours and three-dimensional elements. “I use costume jewelry, spikes, beading, feathers and other things to give each portrait texture and depth,” Cartier says. “I also feature aspects of the culture that informed them.”

A lifelong artist, Cartier studied art at l’Université du Québec à Montréal and spent a subsequent year studying fine arts at Concordia University. “I’ve been doing the strong female portraits for about a year,” she says.

“They’re my way of saying: it’s my time now as an artist. See me. I’m here, with a bang.”

Many of her subjects appear to be famous women but are rarely so. “I take the photographs of regular models or my girlfriends or even Barbie dolls and show how adding specific fashion elements transform them into Marilyn Monroe, Janice Joplin or Blondie,” Cartier says. “At the same time, I’m showing how each of these icons dating all the way back to Marie Antoinette has advanced the evolution of women.” •

(Above) Tina Cartier’s beloved grandmother, along with her personal love of boxing, inspired “She’s simply a badass fighting another badass” (48 by 72 inches). The canvas aims to uncover the fighting spirit of women in an age when they were pressured to behave like ladies. King Kong and Godzilla remind us that male monsters belong to a past era while the faint words “Fight Like A Girl” across the top of the canvas convey a rosier future.

(Opposite) Viewers assume that “She’s the wild, the free, the beautiful” is Cartier’s tribute to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo de Rivera, but the resemblance is at most a subconscious manifestation. “I just wanted a strong Latin American woman whose power shows through the artificial flowers in her hair and the exotic birds that I stitched with sequins on her shoulders,” Cartier says.

“And I guess Frida emerged.” The adorned epaulets imply how each generation of women in some way lifts the next.

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(Above) “She came, she saw, she loved” is a modern interpretation of Marie Antoinette that emphasizes that women can be all floral and fine lace and yet strong of character. The real 3D lenses and media images are to remind today’s feminine queen that any prescribed look for women is an illusion and they should dress as they please.

Always informed by street art, Cartier’s pieces incorporate spray-paint graffiti and other urban elements that are part of the mainstream art scene. In one piece, street posters used as papier-mâché create a three-dimensional Asian gown. Cartier, who adores martial arts, wanted to convey that delicate women can still be street-savvy.

Her clients tend to be people in their thirties and forties. “I touch on their youth by featuring a Black Sabbath hoodie, bejeweled epaulets from the punk era, and other aspects of the 1980s,” she says.

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Music from the 1980s figures prominently in a piece titled “She was a waitress in a cocktail bar when she saw you,” a work that was sold quickly. Cartier has us singing The Human League’s Don’t You Want Me, Baby, with the song’s lyrics in neon lights as part of the work. The Blondie lookalike’s garb is made of black-and-white photocopies of ’80s jackets along with recycled studs from the same era. The tape cassettes and boombox background give a nod to the lingering influence of the decade’s music in encouraging women to break with past stereotypes. •

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“She knows nothing of borders and cares nothing for rules” (48 by 48 inches) features a punk rock queen with a spiked crown and furred and feathered epaulets adorned with pearls and necklaces. The message “I suppose it will make sense someday” suggests there’s no reason for her to explain herself to anyone – not even to herself.

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Tina Cartier Photo: Alfredo Ziano

A Barbie doll in the work titled “She’s having breakfast at Tiffany’s” underscores the plastic public nature of the early 1960s female icons.

Marilyn Monroe’s dominance over Audrey Hepburn also emphasizes the idea that blondes indeed had more fun or at least supposed power and influence.

Cartier’s edgy images always portray women pushing aside societal boundaries, whether they’re stepping out of the supposedly idyllic 1950s into a boxing ring or into a sequined disco jacket and sunglasses, inspired by celebrity icons. Her subjects ooze attitude with their “I’m not budging” stance and typically pink or ruby pout.

The work titled “She knows nothing of borders and cares nothing for rules,” for example, reflects a young woman who reigns

over her own life. Her power derives from punk rock culture. “She’s a trashy queen, rather than a princess,” Cartier says. “Someone who knows her own mind and does what she wants.”

Cartier is currently working on The Theory of “She” Part II, which will pay tribute to Amelia Earhart, Coco Chanel and other notable women. The exhibit will be held at Galerie 1040 in June, 2019. Her work can be viewed on her website: www.tinacartier.com. •

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DESIGN

A ME TING OF MINDS A couple work with their architect and designer to create the home of their dreams

BY SUSAN KELLY • PHOTOGRAPHY: EMA PETER

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THE “TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE” effect doubled when it came to the design of this striking newly built home in the coveted Deep Cove area of North Vancouver, B.C. The owners – David Evans, a retired real estate developer, and Susan Kagan, a legal assistant and part-time artist – played a big role in designing their 4,100-square-foot home. And they worked closely with another couple who are partners in life and work: Lynda and Curtis Krahn, co-principals of Synthesis Design. They headed up the design of the house both inside and out.

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“David was a long-time client we designed 10 model homes in Russia for and who later became a friend,” says Lynda Krahn. “He and Susan like our aesthetic and felt we could help them create a home that would express them as a couple.”

David and Susan each have two adult children from previous relationships, and were ready to create a space just for themselves. And both possess keen eyes for design, says Lynda, along with a sense of fun. They also wanted to showcase the metal sculptures made by Susan and pieces from her art collection.

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“As well, David and Susan are unassuming people who wanted the house to blend in with the environment,” says Curtis Krahn.

The effortless grace of the finished project’s architecture belies what was to prove a very difficult birth. David had fallen in love with a waterfront site with an exceptionally steep slope. It would take more than twice as long as usual — well over two years — to devise a plan that would be approved by city council.

That meant calling in structural and environmental engineers, as well as wildfire experts and slope hazard specialists.

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The Synthesis Design team included Kevin Li, director of design, and Slavica Paulic, senior interior designer. The project contractor was Naikoon Construction Ltd. With a 108-foot drop from the road above to the water below, there was the issue of getting building materials to the site. Many were shipped in via barge, and a tram was later installed to transport them. It remains in place for the use of residents and visitors who don’t want to brave the stairway’s 101 steps leading to the front door. •

Synthesis Design co-principal Curtis Krahn designed the home to be as striking when viewed from the street level above as from the dock below.

A green roof helps it blend into the surrounding greenery.

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Eventually, the home was built on three levels, with three bedrooms and master ensuite on top, living areas and home office on the second floor, and laundry and golf simulator at water level.

David was especially keen that the house be situated close to the water. Being sociable by nature, he wanted to be able to interact with the many kayakers who use the bay. “As well, this placement made the roof a very important design element, because it is all you see when looking down on the house from the road above,” says Curtis Krahn. •

The staircase, co-designed by the homeowners, is complemented by the wood sculpture mounted on the wall. Sculpture: Celebration by Federico Mendez-Castro; staircase: Marcon Metalfab.

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Light floods the second floor open hallway leading to the three bedrooms. An ample skylight sets off the ceiling, which is clad with hemlock.

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In the end, a green roof was decided upon, an attractive option that also helps insulate the home and reduces air pollutants. A modern flat-roof design with offsetting shed roofs was used. And for David, an avid golfer, the plantings in two areas are configured to mimic Pebble Beach golf greens. Susan also has an area designed just for her, a studio under the garage that juts from the cliff.

The first thing that is apparent from the front entry is an ornate metal staircase co-designed by the homeowners. Susan was inspired to employ her metal-working skills to give the steel a special rusted finish. David chose the organic-looking design and drew sketches of each panel, meticulously ensuring that they were placed correctly. “It really is one-of-a-kind,” says Curtis. “And when light from the windows strikes it, beautiful patterned shadows are cast on the stair treads.”

The front door faces the back of the large fireplace feature, which is clad in deep-grey porcelain tiles with a metallic sheen. Curtis Krahn says he used a technique employed in classical Italian landscapes of placing an obstacle, thereby enticing people to choose a path around it and explore. On each side of the imposing structure are glimpsed tantalizing and spectacular views of the bay, afforded by the 40 feet of windows beyond.

On the other side lie the dining area and kitchen that lead into the living room with adjacent deck area. •

The massive fireplace feature helps define the kitchen and dining area, creating a sense of intimacy without sacrificing the open-concept look. Fireplace cladding: Metallo glazed porcelain tiles in Inox by Stone Tile.

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The kitchen’s minimal design functions beautifully on family nights and when the homeowners entertain. Recessed and pendant lighting creates ambience at night.

Appliances: Miele; island pendant lights: Firefrost in red translucent Murano glass by Tech Lighting.

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“We also brought the outdoors in by incorporating lots of wood and natural stone into the interior design.�

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Sliding patio doors create a seamless flow to a covered deck off the living room. Small metal sculptures: by homeowner and artist Susan Kagan; custom cabinetry: Duke Custom Kitchens and Architectural Millwork; cabinetry material: prefinished wood panels in Ivory Oak by Shinnoki.

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The custom kitchen was designed to keep the look as minimal as possible, says Lynda Krahn. “As with the rest of the home, it was designed to highlight the architecture and the owners’ artwork.” Two floating shelves hold ornamental items; everything else is tidily hidden behind closed doors. A pantry off to the side holds small appliances – a coffeemaker and so forth – so counters can be kept clear and uncluttered.

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The cabinetry is one of the home’s star features. It is crafted of pale oak prefinished wood panels with vertical striation that creates a distinctive texture. In addition to being used in the kitchen, it appears in the master bathroom and powder room cabinets. As well, it covers the wall of built-in shelving in the living room, with sliding doors that hide the seldom-used television.

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The subdued soft grey-and-white colour palette was continued into the master bedroom. Colour is used judiciously throughout the home, as in the main floor powder room’s cerulean-blue vessel sink. Sink: Irruption by Kraus.

“We also brought the outdoors in by incorporating lots of wood and natural stone into the interior design, which also helped create the warmth that this couple wanted,” says Lynda Krahn. Exterior soffits were faced with hemlock, and the feature extended into the master bedroom and the ceiling over the main stairwell. The front door is made of natural fir played against medium-toned engineered oak flooring that runs throughout the home.

In the bathrooms, natural limestone forms a counterpoint to the pale-oak contemporary cabinetry.

“Susan and David continue to be pleased with the end result,” says the designer. “It’s them — a home that’s relaxed, upscale and unique, architectural but also artistic.” •

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LIFESTYLE

HUNKER DOWN FOR COMFORT AT HOME Winter is a season of “yin” energy and a time for us to slow down and take stock

BY SUSAN KELLY

IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR: one sharp nip in the air brings a visceral urge to cocoon. But as 2018 winds down, there is greater urgency as the planets align to make this a mega-yin season.

In astrology, as in the ancient Chinese practice of feng shui, yin energy, which is associated with the moon, is considered feminine, that which impels inward seeking and a sense of calm and balance. By contrast, yang energy, which is active, outward-seeking and masculine, is associated with the sun. As the yang energy of summer gives way to its yin counterpart of winter, we have an opportunity to slow down.

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And of the planets and other astronomical points used in astrology, 70 per cent are nestled in yin signs through the end of December. Predominating now are the earth-element signs of Taurus and Capricorn, and Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces of the water element.

Yin is all about softness, and right now snuggly shapes and textures have never been more in. “Soft” is the buzzword in fashion and home furnishings, as we curl up in oversized chunky knits, furs, any tactile textile that takes a doux approach. Even colour palettes have softened into palest pastels and winter whites.

The need to feather our nests takes a literal

turn, too, with plushy down-filled pillows, seating and comforters.

This season, we might further appease the style gods through other trends, such as the addition of blue and turquoise for the water element. Or a new steam shower with marble surround or statement-making freestanding bathtub. And the earth-sign contingent may be why adding nature to our homes is trending so strongly now. There are so many ways to incorporate such natural elements as concrete, stone, woods, wicker and so on. Bonus: water and earth are healing and calming elements.

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Taking a long view, cocooning is a major and far-reaching trend some trendwatchers see taking us into 2020. Futurist Faith Popcorn, accredited with coining the term, says we’ve now moved into “bunkering.” As she sees it, we find it more imperative than ever to insulate ourselves from a turbulent and often-harsh reality by retreating to the seclusion of our homes.

This rings true for me due to November’s shift in the lunar nodes.

They are the two opposing points that mark the Moon’s orbit as it crosses the Sun’s apparent path in the sky. For millennia, esoteric astrologers have found they point to areas of collective karma and growth. They have a practical side, too. I have found them to be indicators of decor trends we resonate with on a deep level.

For the next 18 months, they take on the Cancer-Capricorn polarity.

The North Node in Cancer encourages us to create a shell in which to embrace and nurture our softer side. And to create positive and more meaningful rapports with the people we let into our circle. Home as a metaphor for our selves may become a bigger issue. We need to avoid becoming overly insular and protective of what we perceive as ours, a failing of the Capricorn end.

Many world designers seem to be working this axis. At the Paris Design Week’s Maison & Objet show, comfiness in furniture was the big news for winter 2018. Furnishings were down-filled and

overstuffed, hard edges knocked off in lieu of curvy and inviting lines.

A sublime balance was struck in Patricia Urquiola’s Beam sofa system for Cassina. The designer placed soft cushions (Cancerian snugliness) over a support beam (Capricorn good structure) to create “architectural rigour in a warm embrace.”

In any event, this is no time to impulsively move a supporting wall or radically change the colour scheme. Venus, which rules decor and aesthetics in general, backtracks until mid-November, making it difficult to distinguish needs from wants. That’s when Mercury decides to go retrograde, too, which usually brings delays and confusion to projects.

Expect a lot of dithering and scattered energies. There are just so many great design choices available! It is a good time to sort through our choices and to review the beliefs and true needs that lie behind them.

The best use of this oh-so-yin season: get some rest and recharge.

Use the lull to reconnect with what makes you feel whole, completed, fulfilled. Tie up loose ends, such as maybe finally switching out that backsplash or repainting the hallway. It’s a time of both clearing out and gathering forces. Because ahead lies 2019, packed with dynamic and scope-widening trends along with a new sense of freedom and adventure.

A guide to making the most of this yin season:

ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19) Carve out a me-zone. In 2019 your horizons are about to widen just when all your past career efforts begin to pay off. Hunker down and practise self-care now so you can later hit the ground running.

LEO (JULY 23 - AUGUST 22) Do what you love. Hit the refresh button and surround yourself only with people and things that make your heart sing. Show your physical self some love, too, with a new wellness routine.

TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20) Rearrange the furniture. Give your closet a mega clearout or the decor a feng shui-like shuffle. Creative change (oh, how you hate that word!) is in the air, and this will roll out the welcome mat.

VIRGO (AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22) Practise positivism. Newfound confidence is at your disposal. A major expansion is on tap, of your residence or attitudes or both. For now, get your finances in order.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20) Take a social media fast. Your love of chitchat and being where the buzz is sometimes overloads your circuits. To revive your spirit, focus on forging stronger one-on-one connections, new and old.

CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22) Be more outgoing. Much as you love to nest, work that holiday party circuit. Think of it as a practice run for the social skills you’ll need in 2019. Build a strong contact base of rock-solid, reliable people.

LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 22) Think long term. Big changes are in the works around home base. But that major upgrade you crave will take some planning. Be strategic and make decisions with future happiness in mind.

SCORPIO (OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21) Open wide. The universe is about to show you the money. But financial opportunities may not take a form you expect. Meanwhile, your charisma is off the charts. Use this power wisely.

SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 21) Hit the road. It’s time to take the steering wheel and put yourself on the road to success.

But first, learn new money-management strategies so you can finance your big dreams.

CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 19) Get real(er). You’re poised for gung-ho pursuit of success in 2019. For now, rest up, tune in and set the groundwork. Set up a space in which to explore your spiritual side.

AQUARIUS (JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 18) Pay it forward. You’re in a nice career bubble and a rise in income is possible. Look for new ways to give back and contribute to the community. You can make important connections, too.

PISCES (FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20) Get a makeover. Revamp your image through a new wardrobe or decor. In the now, it will be fun and diverting. And it will send the message that “I’m so worth it,” which will pay off down the line.

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HOW TO FIND GREAT GIFTS Let our holiday gift guide lead you to the best presents ever

BY TRACEY MACKENZIE

YOU WANT TO GET IT JUST RIGHT. You want to find the perfect gift but you have little time to shop and you’re just not sure about what would please them. Read on for our best suggestions for the holiday season.

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GI F T GU I DE

RETRO RADIO The InstaBox i90 Wooden Digital Multi-Functional Speaker with Bluetooth FM Radio may have a retro look but it offers modern connectivity. Connect your devices via Bluetooth or AUX cord, or plug and play a USB, Micro SD or TF Card preloaded with MP3s. A new remote control allows for a two-metre range, and an upgraded internal chip has improved signal and sound quality. Available at Amazon. www.amazon.ca

NOBLE NECKLACE This 14kt white gold diamond necklace is a luxurious adornment to be paired with your favorite gown. Available at Mark Lash. www.marklash.com

FABULOUS FAUX FUR This Brown Bear luxury faux fur cushion is a warm addition to a sofa or armchair. Soft and snuggly, it can be combined with a matching throw or bed runner. Cushion size is 20 inches square. Available at Linen Chest. www.linenchest.com

CAST-IRON CASSEROLE Compatible with all cooking surfaces, the Ricardo red enameled cast-iron Dutch oven will add colour to your kitchen while ensuring that dinner is delicious. Ridges on the inner surface of the lid make for optimal steam circulation and continuous basting of food for great results. Capacity: five quarts. Available at Linen Chest. www.linenchest.com

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OFF THE CUFF The Entwined rose-gold-plated cuff from the Sanctum collection, designed

by Claire Vessot, is as alluring as it is mesmerizing. For day or evening wear, it has an intertwining design that is both romantic and modern.

Available at Vessot Design. www.vessotdesign.com

PORTABLE PLAYTIME The new Bose Soundlink Revolve portable, wireless, Bluetooth speaker will immerse you in 360-degree sound. Water-resistant, it features voice prompts for access to Siri or Google, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and a wireless range of up to nine metres. Available at Best Buy Canada, The Source, Bose Canada, and Amazon. www.bestbuy.ca, www.thesource.ca, www.bose.ca, www amazon.ca

SAY CHEESE! Slicing cheese is made simple with this set of four cheese serving utensils. Packaged in an elegant book-style gift box, each is made of stainless steel with a gold finish. Available at Linen Chest. www.linenchest.com

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TURN OVER A NEW LEAF These leaf-shaped 14kt white gold earrings are as versatile as they are exquisite. Perfect for a lunch with friends or an evening out, the combination of baguette and round diamonds is divine. Available at Mark Lash. www.marklash.com

UNCOMMON SCENTS Inspired by the British coastline, these candles by Laboratory Perfumes are made with natural oils to obtain clean, gender-neutral fragrances.

Housed in a glass laboratory beaker and wrapped in simple brown packaging, they make excellent hostess gifts. Available at Anthropologie. www.anthropologie.com

SNAP TO IT The Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 instant camera makes picturetaking a snap. A new selfie mirror, macro lens adapter for closeups and an automatic exposure measurement are a few of its attributes. Perfect for portraits, this camera comes in a variety of colours. Available at Indigo Books & Music. www.chapters.indigo.ca

YOU’VE BEEN SERVED With more than 125 recipes, Plated makes dinner a pleasure.

Regardless of how much or how little time you have, this cookbook’s step-by-step instructions and clear menu ideas are created to make meal preparation stress-free. From dinner à deux to backyard barbecues, this book offers it all. Available at Amazon. www.amazon.ca

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TAKE A STAND Made of fine china, the Penguin cake stand from the Sara Miller holiday serveware collection by Portmeirion will delight both young and old with its adorable depiction of penguins.

Combine it with matching forks and dessert plates for a complete set.

Available at Linen Chest. www.linenchest.com

GOOD EGG Cristofle’s MOOD set of six espresso spoons in 18-kt rose gold features an egg-shaped case with a walnut interior. Excellent for coffee service at parties, these spoons are ideal for demitasse cups, and move entertaining up to the next level. Available at Cristofle. www.cristofle.com

STUNNING STUDS The saying “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” is best illustrated by these versatile stud earrings. A combination of 18kt white gold and baguette and round diamonds will make your ears sparkle. Available at Mark Lash. www.marklash.com

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PEN PAL The Meisterstück Geometry Solitaire midsize ballpoint pen in champagne gold by Montblanc puts an elegant twist on a classic design. Engraved with a three-dimensional geometric pattern with optical effect, this pen makes writing a beautiful exercise. Available at Damiani Jewellers. www.damianijewellers.com

CARRIED AWAY The AWAY Carry-On suitcase has an unbreakable polycarbonate shell and a TSA (Transportation Security Administration)-approved combination lock.

Perfect for a business trip or a quick out-of-town jaunt, this luggage has an ejectable battery that charges your phone, 360-degree Hinomoto wheels, and a hidden laundry bag. Available at Away Travel. www.awaytravel.com

BANGLE BEAUTY Add some wow to your wardrobe this holiday season with this beautiful 14kt white gold bangle, half of which is studded with diamonds.

It’s topped with a design of baguette and round diamonds. Available at Mark Lash. www.marklash.com

COLOURFUL KETTLE Dolce & Gabbana have teamed up with Smeg, and the result is this stunning multicoloured kettle. Decorated with motifs and patterns that embody a Mediterranean look, this kettle has anti-slip feet, a built-in cord wrap, and an auto shut-off at 100 degrees Celsius/212 degrees Fahrenheit.

Available at Hudson’s Bay. www.thebay.com

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GORGEOUS GOBLETS These Graphik crystal water glasses in blue will add an elegant touch to your table this holiday season. Ideal for cocktails, they come in a set of two and a variety of colours. Available at Cristofle. www.cristofle.com

TRADITIONAL TOWELS These Hammam-style cotton hand towels are colour-blocked with the Hudson’s Bay design and trimmed with a fringe. Lightweight and highly absorbent, they add a touch of Canadian tradition to the bathroom.

Available at Hudson’s Bay. www.thebay.com

WHIMSICAL WILDLIFE The Lilibet side plates, designed by Londoner Yvonne Ellen, are sure to appeal to the animal lover in you or someone you love. Reflecting the designer’s passion for vintage bone china and quirky illustrations, they’re made to add whimsy to a table. Available at Anthropologie. www.anthropologie.com

PERFECTLY BREWED The Bodum Eileen eight-cup French press coffee maker in copper will make your old coffee maker obsolete. A three-part stainless-steel mesh filter allows for the extraction of the coffee’s aromatic oils and flavours to render each cup of java delicious. No paper coffee filters necessary.

Available at Amazon. www.amazon.ca

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VEGAN VARIETY Famed chocolatier Brandon Olsen and artist Sarah Keenlyside have combined forces to share their love of food and art in their chocolate confections. This year, they have made their first nineflavour vegan bonbon collection, which includes such flavours as cherry/almond, cinnamon/rose/chili and blackcurrant/ violet. Available at CXBO Chocolates. www.cxbo.ca

GEOMETRIC GLAMOUR Featuring a quarter carat of sparkling round, white diamonds, the Longest Line diamond earrings from the Bravura collection, designed by Claire Vessot, adds glamour to any outfit you choose. Geometric shapes combined with a double chain fringe make a bold statement when combined with a little black dress. Available at Vessot Design. www.vessotdesign.com

DREAMY DIFFUSER Made of handcrafted stone in a black matte finish, the Vitruvi diffuser is a piece of functional decor. A high-quality BPA-free plastic water reservoir, three-hour non-stop or seven-hour-30-second interval running time, and an auto shutoff are just a few of its attributes. It is available in white and black.

Available at Vitruvi. www.vitruvi.ca

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DESIGN

IN SYNC WITH ITS SURROUNDINGS An innovatively designed Eastern Townships home appears to merge into the snowy landscape around it

BY KAREN SEIDMAN PHOTOGRAPHY: ULYSSE LEMERISE BOUCHARD

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The large walnut wood island is big enough for entertaining large groups and for the homeowners to indulge their passion for cooking.

The rustic industrial look of the dining table and chairs blends well with the overall look of the house and the concrete floors.

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NESTLED AMONG THE TREES along the shores of Lake Memphremagog in the Eastern Townships, this contemporary-style weekend home has been painstakingly designed to blend harmoniously with the nature surrounding it. Its conceptualization by the founding partners of MU Architecture can best be described as organic. At the very least, says architect Jean-Sébastien Herr, the house is in harmony with the topography.

During the winter when this contemporary “ski chalet” in Mansonville known as The Nook is primarily in use by a couple with two young children, the white pine used on the exterior, painted white, almost camouflages the house in the snowy terrain.

“We wanted it to blend with nature and in winter, it just sort of disappears,” says Herr, explaining that was part of the goal of minimizing the impact of the house on its environment. In addition to the concrete base, there were only two materials used on the outside: the pine cladding, and a white cedar roof, which continues into the interior, keeping the design simple and neutral and able to blend with the nature around it.

All of that harmonization is well and good – and important to Herr and his partner, Charles Côté, as their firm espouses innovative design, new technologies and an emphasis on green architecture – but it isn’t what really makes this home as spectacular as it is. •

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The angled house – designed that way to ensure privacy – a requirement of the homeowners – is meant to flow like an unfurling ribbon and then, at its very tip, is the reveal of the glorious nook (from which the house gets its moniker). This family room adjacent to the kitchen, with 11-foot-high windows that create a glassed-in corner with an unobstructed view of the surrounding beauty, is like a warm, snuggly cocoon.

“It’s impressive and immersive,” says Herr.

“You step down those three steps and you feel like you’re outside. It’s protected, intimate and secure. It’s really something special.”

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With a fireplace and an integrated seating area, the nook is all about the view and the light. It’s comfortable, secluded, and benefits from all the views to the lake. And it has perfect orientation to sunlight, according to Herr. What does that mean? The homeowners get the morning light until noon and the best colours and reflection of the lake, but no direct sunshine, so they’re not blinded by the light. “There aren’t that many windows but the way they are positioned, you are constantly in direct contact with nature,” says Herr.

The nook also creates a cantilevered area below with a hot tub; it helps define the secluded outdoor terrace where the family likes to spend their days in the summer.

The nook at the tip of the house boasts unhampered views of the bucolic surroundings and a cozy space with a fireplace and integrated seating area, all of which is designed to benefit from the light that floods the room.

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The sharp angles of the house create an interesting dynamic, says architect JeanSébastien Herr. It creates movement so the house never feels static. “A series of constraints led to the design but it created a shape that is unique,” he says.

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The unusual house – which looks smaller than its 3,000 square feet – evolved from the homeowners’ requests. They wanted it to be elegant but simple, easy to maintain, fluid (so very little furniture) and private. The home’s angles were created to ensure privacy

but also to exploit the views. The concrete floor, with its radiant heat throughout, not only reflects the light and contrasts with the warmth of the wood on the ceiling, it is also easy to clean and maintain. •

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The kitchen is the “pivot” point of the house, a corner that joins the main living areas with the stairs to the bedrooms. Herr loves the contrast of the dark walnut wood, and black ceramic backsplash, with the rest of the house.

The kitchen is the “pivot point” of the home, both literally and figuratively. It occupies the space at the corner of the house, leads to the staircase to the downstairs bedrooms, and gives the homeowners, who enjoy cooking, the ability to oversee their children and monitor who is arriving outside.

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The walnut wood with a black lacquer finish used for the kitchen cabinets provides rich contrast to the pale palette of the rest of the house. The ceramic backsplash is the same tile used in the bathrooms, creating the cohesive look Herr wanted. •

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The kitchen provides a bird’s-eye view of the interior and exterior, where the homeowners can watch their children as well as the arrival of visitors through a long window that overlooks the driveway.

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(Above) A steel plate inserted into a concrete retaining wall suspends the bunk beds above two double beds in the children’s bedroom. “It is literally like they are floating,” says Herr.

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One of the rooms that is most striking is the children’s bedroom with its floating bunkbeds. As the room had a concrete retaining wall, Herr inserted steel plates into it while pouring the concrete, so the bunkbeds were welded to the wall.

“There’s no other support for the beds.

They literally f loat above the two double beds,” says Herr. “It’s one of the best rooms of the house.”

And that’s saying a lot about this very special Nook. •

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TRAVEL

CUBA

LIBRE!

Free yourself from an all-inclusive resort vacation and go instead to Havana for the culture, colonial architecture and really cool cars

BY LA CARMINA

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TRAVEL

IN T HIS HE C T IC SM A R T PHONE AGE , I sometimes find myself feeling nostalgic for a si mpler ti me. I dayd rea m of u nplugging my devices and escaping to a place that’s warm and has the vintage glamour of old Hollywood. Is there such a place?

Havana, Cuba is as close as I’ve got to experiencing my mid-century reveries. Fidel Castro’s communist government assumed power in the Caribbean country in 1959, leading to trade isolation from the U.S. and other nations. As a result, time appears to have stood still in this friendly nation, where hot rods still rule the cobblestone roads.

(Right) The charming plaza in front of the yellow church of Santo Angel Custodio is shown here from a balcony.

This location inspired celebrated Cuban author Cirilo Villaverde to write his novel “Cecilia Valdés.”

Cuba is an excellent cold-weather getaway for Canadians, as flights are quick and inexpensive, especially from the eastern part of the country. During the winter, temperatures in Havana range from 18 to 27 degrees Celsius: perfect for sitting outdoors at a café with a mojito. Unlike American travellers, who still face complex entry regulations, Canadians merely have to fill out a “visa on arrival” and pay $20 USD to get in.

Tourists tend to book vacation packages for all-inclusive resorts in Varadero, Cayo Coco and Holguin. However, if you adore culture and romance, I recommend you spend your time in Havana. Cuba’s rich history is especially vivid in the capital city, which is characterized by pastel-coloured colonial architecture and smiling street musicians.

(Left) A steel outline of Camilo Cienfuegos, one of the four leaders of the Cuban Revolution, towers over Plaza de la Revolución. His words “Vas bien, Fidel” became a slogan of the people.

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I encourage you to stay in a casa particular to get immersed in local life. In communist Cuba, all hotels are at least partially owned by the government. However, since 1997, the state has permitted citizens to rent out rooms in their homes. Staying in one of these cozy casas particulares lets travellers support Cubans, and learn first-hand about their culture.

I booked a private air-conditioned room with bathroom at Prado Colonial, a group of three bed-and-breakfasts run by a family.

The common areas are a retro lover’s dream: stained glass windows, neoclassical f loors, and a balcony view of an 18th century cathedral. I enjoyed getting to know the hosts over strong coffee and breakfast each morning. The Internet isn’t readily available in Havana unless you purchase a WiFi card, so I took this opportunity to get offline. •

Staying in a casa particular lets you experience the daily life of a Cuban family.

Prado Colonial’s rooms are filled with portraits and heirlooms passed down through generations.

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TRAVEL

Every day, I spent hours wandering Old Havana and taking in the eclectic sights.

I saw elderly locals hanging out on doorsteps with cigars in hand, and a parade of stilt-walkers f lanked by fortune tellers in headwraps. I browsed art galleries and flea markets, where I found revolutionary posters and rumba records. Perhaps my favourite stroll was along the Malecón,

Havana’s iconic seawall, which stretches for eight kilometres along the waterfront.

I loved photographing the slick, vintage automobiles that are a Havana signature.

Cubans have been unable to import cars from the U.S. since the 1959 sanctions. As a result, most of the cars on the road are Fords, Buicks and Cadillacs from the James Dean era – and they’re a joy to ride in.

Cheerful locals, brightly painted homes, classic cars, and the glittering water by the Malecón: that’s the laid-back spirit of Old Havana.

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You can rent one of these antique taxis, or book a classic car tour as I did. My guide drove me from Old Havana to Miramar in a cherryred convertible, pointing out such historic sites as the sprawling Colon Cemetery. We cruised through modern Vedado and stopped in Havana Forest, where I was surprised to find an urban grove by the river. The final drive was my favourite: speeding along the Malecón as the sun set over the ocean, with music blasting and wind blowing through my hair.

Cuba’s political history is unlike that of any of its Caribbean neighbours. I visited the Museum of the Revolution to learn about the communist takeover from a Cuban perspective. The artefacts on display included rare black-and-white photos, and Fidel Castro’s military tank. I also visited the impressive Revolution Square, which honours the four leaders (Fidel and Raul Castro, Camilo Cienfuegos, and Che Guevara). • Feel the grandeur of Cuba’s past at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba. In the 1930s, this palatial hotel was the favourite hangout of American gangsters and silver screen stars.

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Many locals practice an Afro-Cuban religion known as Santeria. I joined an Urban Adventures tour to learn about their rituals. The day began at Callejón de Hamel, a community space covered in scrap-object sculptures and paintings. The artist, Salvador Gonzáles Escalona, started this project in 1990 to create a welcoming place for practitioners.

I learned that Santeria originated in the indigenous spirituality of West Africa, and became syncretised with Roman Catholicism during colonial times. I met Salvador, a babalawo or priest, who has an important role as a spiritual adviser. Then I entered his home, where I saw his family’s personal shrines to the orishas or gods, surrounded by offerings.

In colonial times, Africans taken to Cuba were forbidden from practicing their tribal faiths. However, they secretly worshipped their gods by associating them with Catholic saints, resulting in Santeria.

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Music lies at the heart of Cuban culture, and the sounds of jazz, salsa and rhumba pulse through the streets of Old Havana. No matter where you wander, you’ll encounter live bands with remarkable talent and energy. At night, take a taxi to Fabrica de Arte Cubano, a former warehouse that has become the hippest venue for performers.

Take in the contemporary art exhibitions, and then dance the night away to everything from traditional call-and-response music to pounding reggaeton. •

Old Havana is brimming with live musical performers: from a marching band in a festival, to a guitarist strumming on a doorstep, to an outdoor bar with an Afro-Cuban jazz troupe.

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Cuba has a reputation for serving bland food. To my delight, I found this to be untrue. I dined on f lavourful tapas and mojitos all over the city. At my casa, I took a cooking lesson to learn more about local cuisine. My host showed me how to make ropas viejas, or shredded beef and seasoned vegetables. We also prepared taro chips, rice and beans, and fried green and yellow bananas: a spectacular home-style feast.

Cuba’s famous slow-cooked beef stew, flavoured with rich spices and vegetables, is a must-try. The ladies shared their family recipes in a cooking lesson, followed by dinner on the rooftop.

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On my last night, I ate at La Guarida, a restaurant set in a palatial home. This paladar, or local-run eater y, is famous for being featured in a ground-breaking Cuban LGBT film, “Strawberry and Chocolate.” Surrounded by elegant sculptures, I enjoyed smoked-marlin tacos, and delicate snapper ceviche – followed by braised beef cheek, and filet mignon, served three ways.

Even in the 21st century, Havana retains its pulsing, mid-century charisma. If the idea of sipping rum cocktails to the sound of live jazz calls to you, then let Cuba be your escape this winter. •

IF YOU GO: Getting There: Several Canadian airlines fly to Havana from Montreal and Toronto. Flying time from Toronto is 3.5 hours; flying time from Montreal is 4.25 hours.

Ground Travel: Most visitors travel by taxi around Havana, as there are no ride-sharing apps such as Uber. Research rates from the airport to your accommodations in advance, and be prepared to bargain. You can also ask your hotel to call taxis for you, and negotiate a flat fee. Public transport is the best bet for certain destinations, such as the T3 bus from downtown Havana to Playas del Este beach for $4 CDN.

Hidden in an unassuming row of buildings, Restaurant La Guarida surprises visitors with a majestic marble staircase and chandeliers. The creative “New Cuban” menu is consistently named one of the best in Havana.

Accommodation: For a culturally immersive stay, book a casa particular, or family-run bed and breakfast. In Old Havana, these rooms generally cost between $30 and $50 CDN, with either shared or private bathrooms. A more luxurious casa such as Prado Colonial costs $100 CDN per night.

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DESIGN

A TOTAL TRANSFORMATION

A down-at-heel ski chalet in St. Sauveur is overhauled and given back its original Scandinavian-design ambience

BY ELISABETH KALBFUSS PHOTOGRAPHY: RAPHAËL THIBODEAU

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THE CHALET IN ST. SAUVEUR had seen better days.

The owners wondered if they should salvage the 50-year-old building or just tear it down and start over. So they called in the firm of Alain Carle Architecte.

“The changes were pretty incredible,” concedes Isaniel Lévesque, the firm’s project manager for the renovation. “The exterior of the house needed a lot of love.”

There were a lot of factors to consider. On the positive side, the house had been built in the Scandinavian style and was situated

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on a hillside, beautifully integrated into its natural setting. Among the negatives: a series of renovations over the years had hidden its original style. One change, adding a gabled brown roof on top of the original flat roof, had caused rain to accumulate on the mountain side of the house, leading to water infiltration and damage to the basement. As well, the outdoor two-storey stair climb from the parking level to the main entrance was impractical for owners who were heading into retirement.

The 2,400-square-foot home was in such rough shape that the owners, who’d bought the property several years before, hardly used the place. The interior, as well, was stuck in the 1980s and they were looking for a contemporary design and decor. •

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The front wall of double-height windows extends the length of the house from the dining area to the stone wall surrounding the fireplace. Two sets of doors open to the terrace. Windows and blinds: Lepage Millwork.

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Despite its problems and the substantial cost involved, Lévesque says, the firm recommended renovating the house. In fact, the distinctive white side walls, the home’s brown windows and the interior/exterior wood beams that carry through the entire structure and poke out of the facade were all part of the original design and were brought back and enhanced, he says. The brown roof is gone, replaced by a gently downward-sloping roofline to allow water to run away from the house. As well, a lot of mostly invisible work was done to improve drainage on the site, and to provide better insulation.

The biggest design challenge was to create a new entry on the basement level to eliminate some of the outdoor stairs, Lévesque says. The home’s imposing side walls were extended out toward the front, with an archway added under the main-floor terrace that leads to the new front door.

That change led to a reworking of some of the interior space. The new kitchen was moved to the back of the house, taking over the entranceway and former mudroom. The new design added a large window to take advantage of the mountainside view, another window into what used to be the main-door frame. It also added a door to access an outdoor stone terrace at the side of the house. The dining area moved into the old kitchen space, and leads out to the living room. Both areas look out over the hillside.

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Because of the new roofline, the architects were able to increase the height of the master bathroom. Before the rebuild, the ceiling height under the large cross beams was less than eight feet. “We cut the beams, and raised them to achieve the height,” Lévesque says. “We made them white because they’re a different height, so they wouldn’t stand out.” •

The kitchen was moved to the back of the home and given a large new window to take advantage of the view. The light wood used in the cabinetry was also used in the bathroom and in the basement entryway.

Cabinetry: Clef de Voûte Ebénestrie.

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The bath is integrated into the master suite.

Raising the home’s roofline allowed for a higher ceiling, and the opportunity to add clerestory windows for more natural light.

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The home was built in the late 1960s. Its original Scandinavian style had been obscured during subsequent renovations. In their redesign, the architects brought back the fresh white look of the plaster walls, accented by the stained wood.

Some of the interior features are original, including the stone wall surrounding the fireplace and the two-storey front wall of windows that looks out to the terrace. “That’s an example of one of the elements in favour of keeping the house,” Lévesque says. “A facade like that, with such large windows, is pretty incredible. It was worth conserving.”

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Also worth conserving: the railing on the upstairs staircase and around the loft. Originally black, it was in bad shape, Lévesque says.

But the owners, who were quite active in the whole renovation project, worked on sanding and repairing it; then it was painted white.

The result is striking; the house has been given a new life. •

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ALL SOUPED UP Winter’s cold is tamed by bowls of health-giving broths, chowders and other servings of goodness

BY JULIE GEDEON

Lemon lentil soup at Café Santropol

NOVELIST ISABEL ALLENDE CONTENDS that “real soup is to the body what peace is to the soul.”

It’s the perfect food on a cold winter’s day, as these experts readily attest.

“It warms the heart,” says Mary Lynn Munro, head chef at Montreal’s Café Santropol. “A good bowl with bread and cheese makes a wonderful meal.”

Santropol’s kitchen switches to robust flavours in the autumn with root vegetables and such hearty seasonings as coriander, sage and paprika. It’s also time for beef or vegetable-barley.

Curry is another winter favourite with sweet potato and almond butter, or cauliflower and lentils. “Our palates are so worldly nowadays,” Munro says. “People travel and taste extensively, and exotic ingredients are readily available at local stores.” •

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Black bean soup at Café Santropol

Good soups are made in stages, she says. “The base – onions, celery and garlic – must first be cooked well,” she explains. “Then include the spices and, after that, build up the stock, adding vegetables and/or meat depending on how they cook so they don’t become mush.”

Aroma is key. “It sparks good memories for most of us,” Munro says. “It also encourages appetite in people not feeling their best.”

Leading nutritionist Julie Daniluk can’t say enough about soup’s healing qualities. She credits soup for playing a major role in her recovery from post-infectious colitis and joint pain. “Anyone with digestive issues should consider switching to soups and stews,” she says. “And many vegetable nutrients become more bio-accessible when cooked.”

Mary Lynn Munro, head chef at Montreal’s Café Santropol

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“Taking soup to an ailing friend is usually the best gift.”

– Julie Daniluk

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Daniluk’s Hot Detox approach incorporates traditional Chinese wisdom of warming energetically cooler food, such as tomatoes, so that the stomach easily processes it. “There’s been a shift toward raw food because of its higher enzymes but that approach comes from warmer places like Florida and California,” Toronto-based Daniluk explains. “We need a diet suited to our climate: salads and fruit in summer but leaning into soups come winter.”

Enjoying a cornucopia of colours is a nutritious practice. “Vitamin A foods tend to be orange, vitamin B is found in greens, while vitamin C foods are often red, such as a red pepper soup,” Daniluk says. “In order to maintain water-soluble nutrients, it is important to not overcook the soup.”

Ginger, turmeric and other spices not only heat things up but have anti-inflammatory benefits. “And science is now finding that bone broth provides amino acids that may nourish our digestive lining to heal us faster,”

she says. “That’s why taking soup to an ailing friend is usually the best gift.”

Bone broth may have been sipped as far back as the Neanderthal days, some 28,000 to 200,000 years ago, according to archeologist John Speth, professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of Michigan. Soups as we more commonly know them probably came into existence between 5,000 to 20,000 years ago, once leak-proof containers could be fashioned.

Over recent centuries, soups have been a great equalizer with both rich and poor having the means to cook them or buy a bowl.

The first restaurant, according to Larousse Gastronomique, opened in Paris circa 1765 when a soup salesman named Boulanger allegedly posted a sign reading, Boulanger débite des restaurants divins (Boulanger sells restoratives fit for the gods). His claim led to the word ‘restaurant’ being derived from restaurer – to restore – in reference to the broths he considered capable of rejuvenation. •

Corn chowder soup at Café Santropol

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Offering nutritious food at affordable prices is why Carly Murray and Avi Lugassy run Soupa Café in Victoria. “It’s a way for us to do what we love in service to the community,” Lugassy says.

The couple inherited about 100 recipes from the souperie’s previous owners, and Murray has concocted another dozen. The chicken stew, Boston clam chowder and cream of broccoli are winter favourites.

Murray roasts and spices vegetables to intensify their flavour before they are boiled.

Daily vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options have her being quite creative, something that began while she was vegetarian for several years. “Our African peanut soup is another winter favourite, with yams, tomatoes, peanut butter and peanuts, coconut milk, curry and a touch of cayenne,” she says.

“So is the red lentil mulligatawny.”

While it might not be as cold in Victoria as in other parts of Canada, Soupa Café’s locations are packed on rainy days. “People want something to warm them up and remind them of home,” Lugassy says. “We’ve had some customers declare that no one makes soup better than their mom and then change their mind once they’ve tasted ours but, no worries, we won’t tell on them.”

Photos: Soupa Café

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Chicken curry soup, Kitskitchen

Tomato chicken soup, Kitskitchen

Of course, it always depends on the mom.

Joni Lind gives her mother, Wendy, full credit for making soup integral to her life. “I grew up on her delicious soups,” says the co-owner of Kitskitchen in Vancouver. “It’s her recipes we use.”

When Lind returned from London, England, not feeling well, her mother, who also takes a Traditional Chinese Medicine approach to balancing food, suggested incorporating more soup into her meals. “I almost immediately had an easier time digesting, regained my energy, and even moderated my weight,” Lind recalls.

Joni Lind and Amy Kaye, Kitskitchen

When her former coworkers smelled the soups she took to work for lunch and saw how great she felt, they left money on her desk to ensure she cooked enough for their lunches, too. “That’s when I asked my long-time friend, Amy Kaye, to help me to sell these soups to stores,” Lind says.

The butternut squash with a spicy ginger kick is a big winter seller, as is the yam and coconut with chili, garlic and lime. “I love a splash of citrus,” Lind says. “It gives the soup a fuller taste all the way to the back of your mouth.”

Potato leek soup, Kitskitchen

Lind prefers simmering to boiling whenever possible to give the ingredients’ flavours an opportunity to combine. “The ingredients used makes the biggest difference,” she says.

She follows in her mother’s habit of cooking soup every Sunday at home to fill the house with aromas and to eat well all week. “When you’re not feeling your best for whatever reason, soup is the ultimate comfort food,” she says. “There’s an emotional connection to every family’s traditions and that warm goodness.” •

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RECIPES Soupa Café’s Leek and Potato Soup INGREDIENTS: 1 tbsp butter 4-5 stalks of asparagus 2 cups of peeled diced potatoes 2 stalks of diced leeks and greens 1/2 bunch of diced kale Salt should be added to taste White and black pepper to taste 8.5 cups of water

DIRECTIONS: Melt butter in pot and sweat leeks and greens and asparagus until tender, add a pinch of salt during this process. Next add the water, diced potatoes, salt, white pepper and black pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, then add kale and remove from heat, once kale is tender, serve and enjoy.

Kitskitchen’s Hearty Chicken Curry Soup (Dairy-free, wheat-free, serves 6)

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

1 tsp cooking oil 2.5 cups chopped yellow onion (big chop) 3.5 cups chopped potatoes (big chop) 2 cups diced carrots, bite size 1.5 tbsp dill, fresh or dried 1.5 tbsp mint, fresh, chopped 0.75 tbsp curry powder 0.75 tbsp – masala powder 0.5 tbsp – sea salt 7 cups – distilled water 1.5-2 cups – brown rice, cooked 2 cooked & shredded chicken breasts

• Sauté onions and potatoes, mixing in all spices and salt.

• Add the water, cover and bring to a boil.

Using an immersion blender or countertop blender, blend this mixture to create a puree.

• Sautee the carrots, seasoning with a small amount of salt, until they’re soft. Transfer the blended mix back into a pot and add the carrots and herbs to the blended mix.

• Combine the brown rice and shredded chicken breast to the puree mix. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Kitskitchen’s Cracked Pepper and Mushroom Soup (Wheat-free, vegan, serves 6)

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INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

• Combine ingredients #3 - #9 in a large pot over medium heat. Stir until onions are transparent, between 5-10 minutes.

• Add potatoes and water. Cover, and increase heat.

• Once potatoes are soft (check by piercing one with a fork), blend with immersion blender or transfer to a blender (tip: cool the mixture slightly before blending). Blend ingredients until a smooth consistency is achieved.

• If blended in a blender and not an immersion blender, transfer contents back into pot.

• Fold in ingredients #1 and #2 and stir. Add salt and pepper to taste.

1.5 cups cooked buckwheat 2.5 cups Cremini mushrooms, sautéed 1 tsp cooking oil 2.5 cups chopped yellow onion (large chop) 1.75 tbsp pressed garlic 2.5 tsp fresh thyme 3 tsp sea salt 1.5 tsp cracked pepper (we like fresh, strong pepper) 2.25 cups chopped mushrooms 3.5 cups chopped yellow potato 7 cups distilled water

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Julie Daniluk’s Hot Detox Butternut Squash Soup

Kitskitchen’s Simple Dairy-Free Potato Leek Soup

Both traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda promote quashing your sweet cravings by adding naturally sweet, highly nutritious orange foods to a recipe. Butternut squash is a great example, with its deep-orange-coloured flesh and sweet flavour. It’s filled with alphaand beta-carotene, powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.

(Wheat-free, serves 6)

INGREDIENTS: 7.5 cups chopped leeks 1 tsp olive oil or butter 5 cups chopped yellow potatoes 8 cups chicken broth (option to split this: 4 cups chicken broth and 4 cups water), or vegetable broth for a vegan version 1.5 tsp sea salt

DIRECTIONS:

INGREDIENTS:

• Combine oil/butter and chopped leeks in a large pot. Stir over medium heat until leeks are wilted. Sprinkle in the salt, and stir again.

• Add the potatoes, chicken broth (and water, if split).

• Cover and increase the heat. Bring to a light boil until potatoes are soft.

• Use an immersion blender to blend until smooth. If you do not have an immersion blender, use a blender (let the mixture cool before blending if using a counter top blender).

• Salt to taste.

1 2 tbsp 1/2 tsp 1 tsp 1 tsp 1⁄8 tsp 1 tsp 1 tsp 1 cup 1 1⁄2 cups

Kitskitchen’s Spicy Tomato and Chicken Soup (Wheat-free, dairy-free, serves 6)

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

• Combine ingredients #1- #12 in a large pot over medium heat. Cover and bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to a simmer and cook the vegetables until they’re soft.

• Using either an immersion blender or countertop blender (ensure the mix has cooled slightly to prevent blender explosions), blend this mixture to create a puree/base.

• Combine the pureed mixture with the last two ingredients; add salt and pepper to taste.

1 cup chopped red pepper (about 1 whole) 2 cups chopped yellow onion (big chop) 2 tbsp pressed garlic 1.5 cups chopped carrot 5 cups chopped tomatoes (big chop); (we like ripe, local field tomatoes) 5 tbsp fresh basil 1.5 tsp fennel seed 0.5 tsp chili flakes 4 tsp sea salt 1.5 tsp crushed black pepper 1 tsp dried thyme 4 cups distilled water 1.5 cups cooked buckwheat (or rice or quinoa) 2 cooked & shredded chicken breasts

large butternut squash (about 6 cups) coconut oil pink rock or grey sea salt organic lemon zest organic lemon juice ground cinnamon coconut nectar or honey pure vanilla extract bone or vegan broth organic coconut milk

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 2. Halve the squash lengthwise, and remove the seeds and stringy matter. Rub the insides and cut surface with coconut oil, and season with salt.

3. Place cut side up in a roasting pan, and bake for 1 hour or until fork-tender.

4. Remove the squash from the oven. Scoop out the flesh and place in a food processor.

5. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice and coconut oil, and coconut nectar and vanilla if using.

Puree until smooth.

6. Add the cinnamon, and more salt to taste, and pulse a few times to mix well. Serve as a puree.

7. To make this into a soup, place the puree in a saucepan. Stir in broth and coconut milk, and heat until simmering.

Makes 4 cups puree or 10 cups soup. Keeps in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Recipe reprinted with permission by Julie Daniluk RHN and Harper Collins Canada

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MULTIGENERATIONAL GETAWAY This Laurentian estate is a perfect retreat for several generations of a family

BY KAREN SEIDMAN PHOTOGRAPHY: JEAN-FRANÇOIS GRÉGOIRE

LIVING THE DREAM. That’s what this sprawling house in the Laurentians is all about. Winter, spring, summer or fall, this magnificent home in Ivry-sur-le-Lac, on the rocky shores of Lake Manitou, was built to make the most of the gorgeous nature surrounding it. Soaring windows and multiple terraces and patios bring the outdoors inside. On 24-hour-a-day display are the beautiful mountains, with their thick clusters of mature trees, and the rippling current of the picturesque lake – all of which can be seen and enjoyed from almost every room in the house. •

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The five-bedroom house – sitting on almost two acres of lakefront property – also has a two-bedroom guesthouse with its own kitchen, so there is ample space; it’s a multigenerational estate.

There are gorgeous cozy nooks and larger gathering places throughout the house, including a large stone fireplace with sofas for family lounging, a step-down cozy seating pit built around a fireplace for more intimate occasions and a reading nook in a turret accessed through the master bedroom that

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offers almost 360-degree views of the stunning scenery. “It is the sexiest reading spot I’ve ever seen,” says Félix Jasmin, the broker with Engel & Völkers, who is selling the house. “This is a house that has really been a happy place for the family that built it. It is superb quality for sure but what makes it really special is that it was designed to be enjoyed by a family, by children and grandchildren all together in a place that promotes togetherness and offers a great opportunity to do so many wonderful activities together, in all seasons.” •

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Summers are all about the lake. The dock is there to moor a boat or jump into the water, which is great for swimming, boating and viewing. Hence the many outdoor seating areas, including quiet spots for reflection in an Adirondack chair overlooking the water.

For cool country evenings, there’s a large fire pit for roasting marshmallows.

Winters are all about the snow. Mounds of it blanketing the countryside and providing opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing right on the property,

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as well as downhill skiing at nearby Mont Tremblant. The house is at its coziest at that time of year, as everyone hunkers down near a fireplace for après-ski hot chocolate.

Jasmin says autumn is perhaps the prettiest season, with the colours of the changing leaves on full display in the mountainside community. With the home’s many picture windows, those vivid coppers and reds seem to engulf the house and offer a breathtaking, close-up view of the fall foliage. •

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In any season, the house offers unique distractions for the whole family. The games room features pool and table tennis, while a fully functioning stage – complete with spotlights and curtains – is the place to put on shows. For more mature tastes, there is a wine cellar and a kitchen with a huge island for multi-generational cooking projects.

With lots of wood to keep the ambience warm, but lots of oversized windows for brightness, Jasmin says, the home’s design “is a very happy marriage between light and wood.

“Truly, this is a house for a discriminating buyer who wants a home where they can really enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren, where they can enjoy the beauty of nature and where they can create special memories,” he says. •

Engel & Völkers www.felixjasmin.evcanada.com felix.jasmin@engelvoelkers.com 514-507-7888 ~ 514-886-6620 Listing price: $2.598 million

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DESIGN

LIGHT THE WAY

There are plenty of lighting fixtures on the market that make home a welcoming place during the dark days of winter

BY TRACEY MACKENZIE

C

old and dark. To Canadians, that about sums up winter. As the months leading to the winter solstice are characterized by decreasing light levels, many of us compensate by ensuring that our homes are light-filled and inviting. If you’re in need of new light fixtures to brighten up your rooms, read on. Our guide to the latest in lighting might just be the cure for darkness.

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CALL OF THE WILD A dramatic focal point for a den or study, the Aspen Antler chandelier recalls the wildlife of the American West. It’s cast of lightweight, durable resin from naturally shed antlers, and painted by hand to replicate their texture and markings. Shown in the Bleach finish, this chandelier is also available in Natural. Available at Restoration Hardware. www.restorationhardware.com

FLOWER POWER Add a touch of whimsy to your child’s bedroom with this porcelain-flower chandelier with gold leafing detail.

Reminiscent of 1960s pop art, it’s a cheerful reminder that spring arrives after winter leaves. Available at Anthropologie. www.anthropologie.com

YES, GRASSHOPPER Designed in 1948 by Greta Grossman, the Grasshopper floor lamp has a thin frame and elongated shade, which can be rotated to direct light where it’s wanted. Produced

by Gubi in Denmark, this authentic Grossman lamp is manufactured to the designer’s original specifications.

Available at Design Within Reach. www.dwr.com

MODERN AND MINIMAL Modern meets minimal in the Rousseau Grande Articulating chandelier, designed by Kelly Wearstler. Available in bronze or antiqued brass with a choice of seeded glass or etched crystal lenses. Available at Celadon. www.celadoncollection.com

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SPACE AGE The Nelson Saucer pendant lamp, designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller, was inspired by Nelson’s first bubble lamp, created in 1952 by spinning a skeleton of steel wires on a turntable and shooting it with translucent plastic until it was covered in a smooth, washable film. Available in Ball, Cigar, Lantern, Pear or Saucer colours from Design Within Reach. www.dwr.com

GRAB THE BRASS RING The Halo series of lights designed by Matthew McCormick may be hung in various combinations. Conceived as a graphical interpretation of effervescence, the soft glow of each halo gently illuminates a space. Available in brass, copper, nickel and 24-kt gold. Available at South Hill Home. www.southhillhome.com

CORAL CUT-OUT The Coral pendant light, designed by David Trubridge is made of bamboo plywood that comes from sustainably managed plantations. It ships flat to minimize packaging and shipping costs. Instructions for assembly are included. Available in many colours and variations at Montreal Lighting & Hardware. www.montreallighting.com

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ON THE FRINGE The Oahu Fringe pendant, shown here in mint, evokes memories of the sea.

The fringes are held together on a brushed glass frame, to add a tropical vibe to your living room or dining room. Available at Anthropologie. www.anthropologie.com

THREE’S COMPANY The Bodalla kitchen island pendant is cheerfully colourful. Distinctive in red, it features three bowl-shaped shades with a metallic finish. Available in various colours and a two-bowl version. Available at Wayfair. www.wayfair.ca

BALANCE BEAM The Beam light has clean lines and a retro vibe that is reminiscent of midcentury offices. Available in sophisticated neutrals or bright colors, it’s more than just pretty; it offers task lighting for evening work. Customize your Beam’s light by pivoting the head, tilting the pole or adjusting the height of the stand. Shown here in Mint. Available at Article. www.article.com

NO ORDINARY ORB A solid concrete base and a see-through glass casing highlights an oversized Edison bulb in the Orb light. With its distinct yet not overpowering shape, it gently lights a dark winter night. Bulb included. Available at Article. www.article.com

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LINEAR LIGHTING The Line lights designed by Matthew McCormick are precision CNC-milled and hand-finished to showcase the natural grain of the wood. May be used as a stand alone pendant or arranged into multiple configurations. Available in walnut, white ash and oak. Available at South Hill Home. www.southhillhome.com

TALL, DARK AND HANDSOME The Treo light has a metallic tripod base with a matte finish and is topped with a linen shade. It stands a stately five feet high. Available at Article. www.article.com

PERFECTLY POSITIONED The Circa table lamp by Pablo Designs features a flat-panel LED disc that can be moved to accommodate your needs while providing ambient light.

Perfect as a task lamp, this light also supplies you with an integrated USB charging port on the table, floor and wall models. Available in graphite and white at Montreal Lighting & Hardware. www.montreallighting.com

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FLUID AND FLUTED The elegant Davenport round chandelier is characterized by a fluted rim.

It’s available in various sizes and three finishes: lacquered burnished brass, bronze, and polished nickel. Available at Restoration Hardware. www.restorationhardware.com

ROSY GLOW The rose gold Geo wire-caged pendant light can be suspended above a kitchen island, bathroom vanity or bedroom night table as a minimalist-style statement. Available at West Hemlock. www.etsy.com/ca/shop/westhemlock

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION The Studio floor lamp by Venetia Studium will make you feel as if you’re shooting a movie in your own home. Perfect for lofts or to add substance to an empty corner, this light makes a strong design statement. Available in a steel, black or white base with a white or black shade and a gold leaf, silver leaf or white interior.

Available at Celadon. www.celadoncollection.com

OPTICAL ILLUSION Inspired by op art graphic patterns, the modern Optical table lamp designed by Lee Broom is made from powder-coated spun steel and blown opaque glass. The asymmetrical black stripes add visual interest, and when viewed from all sides, the linear pattern changes at every angle. Also available in pendant and floor lamp formats at Celadon. www.celadoncollection.com

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TIERED TAPERS White-washed agar wood twigs seem to flow upwards from iron stems like the unopened buds of a flower. Elegant and understated, this chandelier confers a touch of the past to any room. Assembly not included. Available at Anthropologie. www.anthropologie.com

BUBBLE BRIGHT Contemporary and colourful, the Chroma Bubble pendant light adds sparkle and originality to a room. Perfect for above the kitchen island, this trio of iridescent bubbles is a conversation starter. Available at Anthropologie. www.anthropologie.com

NEW HAIRDO The Tina wood-veneer lamp with tricolour “long hair� from Atelier Cocotte is a bit bohemian and quite a headturner. Made from locally sourced wood, such as birch, oak and maple, each lamp has its own individual hairstyle, so no two lights are the same.

Available at Atelier Cocotte. www.etsy.com/ca/shop/ ateliercocotte

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WELL-ROUNDED The Boule wood-veneer lamp from Atelier Cocotte is nine inches in diameter and designed and produced in Quebec. Made from local wood such as birch, oak, and maple, this mid-century-style light is a warm addition to a room. Available at Atelier Cocotte www.etsy.com/ca/shop/ateliercocotte

CYLINDRICAL STYLE Metal bands hold the slender glass cylinders in place in the Ravelle chandelier. Designed by Ian K. Fowler, this Art Deco-inspired light has been reimagined with a contemporary and minimalist design. It comes in three finishes: lacquered burnished brass, bronze, and polished nickel. Shown here in bronze. Available at Restoration Hardware. www.restorationhardware.com

NO STILTED STYLE HERE The elegant Stilt floor lamp with its slender base and fabric shade illuminates a room without taking up too much visual space.

Available at Article. www.article.com

BRASS BEAUTY Available for the first time in brass, the Orbiter II table lamp features LED lighting and a counterpoised boom arm that rotates on its arc to direct light wherever it is needed. Originally designed in 1967, the iconic Orbiter floor lamp is an American classic that will fit in any decor. Available at Restoration Hardware. www.restorationhardware.com

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A PIECE OF HISTORY, LOVINGLY RESTORED A 19 th century home in Saint-Ambroise-de-Kildare that started life as a bakery is now on the market

BY ELISABETH KALFUSS REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHY: ANKA BUZOLITCH

IT WAS BUILT IN THE 1880S as the first bakery in Saint-Ambroise-de-Kildare, a historic small town in the Lanaudière region. Now, roughly five decades after being painstakingly and lovingly transformed into a single-family cottage, it’s on the housing market, in search of new owners to appreciate it and preserve its place in history.

The home, at 1110 rue Principale, is listed at $489,000, and sits on a two-acre lot, along with two other original buildings: a barn, and a former blacksmith shop that’s now a guesthouse.

The large lot features flower and vegetable gardens, a sugar house, maple and fruit trees and berry patches, and it ensures privacy. •

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“It’s a quiet place with a 360-degree view of the land. When you look around, it’s infinite,” says Sylvie Ménard, the real estate broker handling the listing. “It’s in a small village that is very well known by people who want a quiet and secret place.”

The home was built in typical Quebec “boomtown” style, one level at a time, says Louise-Hélène Lebrun, who, together with Marie-Paule Desrochers, bought the property in 2001. “Once children came, or the family got bigger, they built a second floor,” she says.

“When families had 12 children, they needed this type of house.”

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The main house has open living space in the front, which was once the shop area where customers would be served their loaves, cakes and pies. The original oven doors have survived and are stored in the property’s barn.

Upstairs, the home had four bedrooms and a bathroom. Louise-Hélène isn’t sure exactly when the bakery moved away, but believes the property was converted to a single-family home about 50 or 60 years ago.

The back view of the house illustrates how the old and new have been fused together.

Visible from this angle is the flat roof, typical of Quebec construction of that era, along with the contemporary sunroom addition, deck, and hot tub.

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“It’s a quiet place with a 360-degree view of the land. When you look around, it’s infinite.”

The two-acre property is home to one of the last remaining original barns in the area. The current owners did a lot of landscaping, choosing many of the trees that attract migrating birds in the spring and autumn.

Much of the home is either original or restored. The wood beams and panelled ceilings inside the main living area are original, as are the wide-plank maple floors throughout the house, says Louise-Hélène. The beams in the dining and kitchen areas are still there, but they have been covered and painted. Upstairs, the bedrooms also have tongue-and-groove panelled walls and ceilings.

In addition to upgrading plumbing and heating, the homeowners have incorporated other distinctly modern additions, such as the four-season sunroom. Insulated and

heated, it faces west, and enjoys sunset views.

As well, a hot tub has been installed outside on the deck.

The owners were careful to preserve or recreate many of the original details of the home, especially to keep its exterior as authentic as possible. The carved rosettes under the roofline and other wood trim are typical of the region and the period, Louise-Hélène says, as are the home’s colours: white walls with a red roof. “We tried to keep the cachet,” she says. There’s also a gazebo next to the main house in those same colours. •

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The guesthouse has even more of its original features, Louise-Hélène says, including its windows and window boxes beside the double front doors. No visible traces of the blacksmith shop remain. Now it has a downstairs living area with a wood-burning stove and sleeping quarters. In addition to being a place to house visitors, it is used by the homeowners as a retreat in which to write and paint.

Homeowners Louise-Hélène Lebrun and Marie-Paule Desrochers preserved many of the property’s original features - and charm. Wide-plank floors continue throughout the main and upper floor. Wood beams have been covered and painted in the dining room, but are still exposed in the main living area.

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The guesthouse, once a smithy – a blacksmith’s shop – is used mainly as a retreat by the owners who like to write and paint. Its wood-beamed ceiling is original, as are most of its features, and there’s a loft upstairs.

The barn is one of the few original barns left in the area, Louise-Hélène says. Some work has been done to rebuild parts of the walls and maintain the roof. They never quite got around to installing the woodworking and sculpting studio they’d envisioned, but the homeowner says it would be a great place to raise chickens.

Louise-Hélène and Marie-Paule first used the property as a vacation and weekend getaway, but eventually moved there full-time about a dozen years ago, commuting to their jobs in Montreal. They had the landscaping done, worked on the gardens and put in apple trees and raspberry and blueberry bushes. The gardens attract a variety of migrating birds, they say, including snowy owls in the winter.

The lawn behind the house is also large enough for them to practice golf.

Located east of Rawdon, the property is close to lakes, cross-country skiing and other recreation spots, and 10 minutes away from three golf courses. • Sylvie Ménard. Real Estate Broker www.sylviemenard.com 514-827-6200

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CLOTHED IN COMMENTARY Fashion designer Lesley Hampton uses her work to make social and cultural statements

BY SUSAN KELLY

Photos: Marc Aitken Hair and Make Up: House of Bendy Shot on Location at Lesley Hampton’s high school alma mater, ACS Hillingdon International School, London, England

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VOGUE MAGAZINE EDITOR ANNA WINTOUR once wrote, “the content of fashion does not materialize spontaneously but … emerges from the fabric of our times.” Emerging Canadian fashion designer Lesley Hampton purposefully weaves timely and socially relevant themes into her work.

“I always start with a concept, something I feel needs to have a light shone on it,” Hampton says. “I want people seeing my shows to have an experience, to feel and think.”

For her spring-summer 2018 collection, called Sticks and Stones, Hampton sent models from various cultural backgrounds, wearing sizes ranging from two to 24, down the Toronto Fashion Week catwalk. Among them was Adrianne Haslet, a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing, who walked the runway on a prosthetic leg. Not only was it a strong statement about resilience, but Flare magazine’s reviewer said the designer had “set a new bar for runway diversity.”

The fall-winter 2018 collection that followed, called Lithium, was intended to raise awareness about mental health in the fashion industry and society. The designer’s special focus was bipolar disorder, which affects some of her friends and colleagues. She employed a mélange of vibrant offbeat colours to reference its mania aspect played against stark black, then finishing with silver ref lective materials to represent balance and hope.

The thought-provoking themes Hampton embraces are uncomfortable for many.

Yet the clothes themselves are meant to be

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anything but. “With every piece I design, I want people to feel comfortable in their skin and empowered,” she says. “Feeling and looking your best can be transformative, especially for women with body-image issues.”

The eveningwear and “after 5 p.m.” clothing sold through www.lesleyhampton.com are cut to enhance any woman’s natural curves, and the designer takes custom orders. There are also go-anywhere pieces, such as a quilted-sweater version of the classic little black dress, and an athleisure line, called Robust, in sizes XS to 5XL.

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“I use my fashion to encourage diversity and make everyone feel welcome and included.”

At the tender age of 24, Hampton has sent six collections down runways and garnered rave reviews for them. Celebrities who name her label when asked “whom are you wearing?” include ET Canada host Cheryl Hickey who has rocked her curve-enhancing evening dresses on several red-carpet occasions. So have luminaries as diverse as Real Housewives of Toronto’s Roxy Earle, competitive swimmer Penny Oleksiak, Toronto electronic music group Dragonette, and Margaret Trudeau.

Hampton says she strives through her work to make everyone feel welcome and accepted. “I also have an open mind when it comes to cultural differences, I think, because we moved around so much when I was a kid,” she says. The Newfoundland-born designer reckons her family changed country every four years or so. Her father worked in the mining industry and was posted in such far-flung places as the Northwest Territories, New Caledonia, Australia, Indonesia, and England. •

Photos: Ted Belton Models: Ellyn Jade KLA Management/The Industry NY and Karyn Inder BNM Models Hair and Makeup: Michelle Silverstein

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It was her mother, an avid quilter, who first introduced her to a sewing machine at age four. Not all of her early efforts were successful, such as the “most fabulous teddy bear ever” she tried to make for her older brother that ended up looking like “a flat, brown duck.” But her sewing skills steadily improved. Her mother continues to provide moral support and also serves as driver and accountant when times are stressful.

Hampton studied art at the University of Toronto. Before completing year one, though, she realized fashion was what she really wanted to study. She fast-tracked the honours bachelor of arts degree so she could perfect the technical skills of her craft, including patternmaking and draping, at George Brown College. This period also marked an important step in reconnecting with a part of her heritage; her mother is from the Temagami First Nation of northern Ontario.

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Hampton now proudly identifies as a First Nations designer. Even before the diploma was issued, she released her first collection, City Warriors. It was accepted as part of a 2016 runway show called Fashion Art Toronto, a first step for many new designers. She worked feverishly at night after classes for four months to assemble 13 original pieces.

“That collection was based on the Native American jingle dress,” she says. “It is worn during powwow ceremonies to uplift an audience and make them feel powerful, and I wanted to reinterpret it for every modern-day woman.” •

Photos: Che Rosales Shoe sponsor: Tanya Heath Paris Accessories: Helen Oro Designs

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“That so many people resonate with my message is reflected in the community I’m creating.”

For the past year, Hampton has worked out of a studio in the Toronto Fashion Incubator, the non-profit centre that is home to so many of Canada’s rising industry stars, including Sid Neigum. “It’s nice to have my own space so I can put in a full 10-hour day surrounded by creative people who are all pushing for the same thing I am,” she says.

I n S ep t emb er, she packe d up her spring-summer 2019 collection, called Foyer de la Vice, and headed across the pond. It was showcased as part of a London Fashion Week show featuring Toronto Fashion Incubuator designers at Canada House. She then headed back to Toronto to participate in CES Presents, a Canadian fashion gala in October that supports Boost for Kids. She will also show her work in the Toronto Plus Size Fashion Show in November.

Photos: Ted Belton Models: Ellyn Jade KLA Management/The Industry NY Hair and Makeup: Michelle Silverstein

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The Foyer de la Vice collection was inspired by the work of French Impressionist painter Edgar Degas and the ballet he depicted in his art. “It is conceptually inspired by notions around perfectionism and what is deemed as perfect,” Hampton says. “The garments’ compositions embody the essence of a negligee and stage wear unified to convey the ballerina’s conflict between her internal self and external pressures. The relentless pursuit of perfectionism often precedes vices, to achieve perfection or to deal with the pressures of the unobtainable.”

Hampton has forged a community of friends she affectionately calls her Wolf Pack.

She’s not sure where the name came from, only that she wanted to surround herself with people who uplift one another. The gang embraces the fashion crowd, but she encourages any like-minded person to join via her website. “I use my fashion to encourage diversity and make everyone feel welcome and included,” she says. “That so many people resonate with my message is reflected in the community I’m creating.” •

Lesley Hampton Photo: Marc Aitken

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WHY WAIT FOR SPRING? DO IT NOW Late autumn and early winter are the best times to plan a landscape design and reno

BY KAREN SEIDMAN PHOTOGRAPHY: PATRICK GERVAIS

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AS WINTER SETS IN, most Quebecers hunker down and their thoughts turn to the cold months ahead. They’re certainly not thinking about their gardens.

That’s a big mistake, says Johanne Filion, director of landscaping for Services Paysagers Dominique Filion, the South Shore-based landscape-design company she has been operating with her son for some 22 years.

“Autumn is the optimal time to start planning your garden,” she says. “We do all measurements before it snows and draw the designs during the winter. It’s a calm moment to do the planning, when it’s not rushed.”

And then, when things start to bud in the spring, you’re ready to start!

Filion says most people start thinking of their garden plans in the spring and by then it’s often too late because it’s so difficult to book the companies to do the work. •

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The advantage of starting the preparations in the autumn and early winter, she says, is that the landscapers can still walk through the garden and get a feel for the space; then the appropriate plans can be drawn up and the bookings can be made for the spring.

This is the best way to ensure the job will be completed in a timely fashion. “It’s a great time to walk in the garden and see what the possibilities are,” Filion says.

With our hotter summers, she adds, swimming pools have become more popular than ever, and a lot of planning is involved to get the landscaping around them just right. As well, people really want outdoor living rooms and kitchens to extend their living and entertaining space. These are all trends that require careful planning.

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Another important new trend is lighting.

Whether it’s fairy lights in the trees for a magical ambience or the proper lighting for al fresco dining, putting careful thought into the best lighting to meet a client’s needs is another aspect of landscape architecture that requires advance planning, Filion says.

Before you put on your winter tires or buy a new down-filled coat, she adds, take a look at your garden and don’t delay if this is the year you want to create the lush and comfortable outdoor space you’ve been dreaming about. •

Services Paysagers Dominique Filion 13 Rue Principale, Saint-Basile-le-Grand 450-653-0000 Photo: Eric J Hughes

www.dominiquefilion.ca

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Handcrafted | 12,000 Pocketed Coils | Natural Horsehair | Alpaca | Joma Wool Exclusively available at select Dormez-vous locations.

To find your closest location visit dormezvous.com/versailles

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DESIGN

COMFY, COZY AND ECLECTIC A new trend in bedroom design embraces a non-matching approach to linens and furnishings

BY SUSAN KELLY

THE BEDROOM: THE ULTIMATE COMFORT ZONE, a cozy retreat that is all our own. At this time of year, along with craving warm layers, we want to add some style. Which trends will we warm up to? We asked experts across the country for their take on those that will appeal heading into 2019 and beyond.

It’s all about setting the right mood, says Lauren Persson, creative director at Fino Lino, a Vancouver store that specializes in fine linens. “Heading into 2019, the biggest trend is toward a kind of subdued, sensuous glamour,” she says.

It starts with a colour story on the sombre side. Colours once relegated to the living room now invade the sleeping quarters. Navy, deep teal and emerald are showing strong in bedding and accessories along with dark grey and even black. The bold will paint walls or buy linens in these shades while the more hesitant may settle for one deep-toned velvet

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throw. On a lighter note, the deeper colours might be played against linens in classic neutral shades shot with metallic threads — a major trend, Persson says — giving them an opulent sheen.

As with furniture of all types, headboards have curved shapes now. But this is not the Hollywood Regency rococo-ness of years past. This time, it’s more about a subtle arch upwards or a downward dip on a non-embellished headboard, likely upholstered. While referencing the past, this transitional look is very much of today. “It’s also part of a new feminine direction in design,” she adds. “And we see it in the way pink and mauve have become such strong colours.” So much so, many standard neutrals — grey, white, taupe — now have undertones of these shades. On their own, Persson finds them particularly of the moment when paired with navy. •

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Photo courtesy of Fabricville

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When it comes to the bed, many of us are taking great care to make it look as if we don’t care, says André Michel, home decor senior buyer for Fabricville stores in Canada.

“The thoughtfully messy look is one of the top bedding trends now,” he says. “It’s a big departure from the buttoned-up bedrooms of the past.” No more perfectly pressed sheets topped with crisp pillows and shams. Today’s beds have that lived-in look.

Photos courtesy of Fabricville

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To get the right layered effect, mix it up with abandon. Think carelessly tossed throws, mismatched pillowcases. No more buying bedding in sets; with this approach, you might pair mismatched top and bottom sheets with a duvet of another style. And mixing textures is a must, especially such soft and cozy fabrics as knits, wool, velvets and faux fur. Don’t forget a dash of the tactile fabric du jour, velvet, in a pillow or duvet cover.

It’s also time to go over the top with prints. Geometric patterns have given way to florals, the bigger the better, he says. Many are supersized versions of classic English florals from textiles or wallpaper, often with a dark background. “Other prints are an evolution of the Bohemian trend of a while back,” says Michel. “But with such intense colours and large scale, I call it the Boho look on speed.” Opt for either one or two eye-catching pieces, such as throw blankets and pillowcases, or layer patterns on patterns to create an eclectic look.

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Under the layers of linens, the latest trend in bedroom furniture is moving away from the upholstered bed that has been in vogue for many years, says Glyn Austin, director of design and co-owner of Cocoon Furnishings in Oakville, Ontario. “As part of the health trend, there is a major return to organic materials in the bedroom,” she says. “And perhaps for that reason, beds with wooden frames are back.”

The trend is slowly gaining momentum, and she believes wood-framed beds – transitional or contemporary – soon will have the edge.

Those who wish to keep their upholstered versions, she suggests, might panel the wall behind with the wood of their choice: anything from pale oak to rich walnut.

The movement has also brought other natural materials back into the bedroom, especially woven ones. Modern versions of wicker chairs, tables and bedframes are streamlined for a sophisticated edge. Austin sees a lot of buzz around Vienna straw, that classic hexagonal-weave material once so ubiquitous, as an insert in wood furniture.

Prominent international designers such as Jaime Hayon and Patricia Urquiola have given it a contemporary spin. Shagreen is another natural material she likes for its distinctive texture. “In our custom line, CASE, we can create inserts for bedframes and other furniture out of this very luxe material,” Austin says. •

Photos courtesy of Cocoon Furnishings

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Environmental awareness now influences our choice of bed linen fabric, says Stan Leibner, co-owner of The Linen Chest, which has stores in Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes. Take bamboo, a natural fibre made from what is technically a grass and so is easy to produce in a sustainable manner. “It is one of our best-selling materials for bed linens,” Leibner says, “and with good reason.” Environmental considerations aside, bamboo linens are soft and, like cotton, they breathe, this expert says.

“They’re possibly the most comfortable set of sheets you will ever sleep on.”

As well, it is possible to find duvets and pillows that are bamboo-filled. But Leibner advises buyers to read the label carefully as many contain only a small fraction of this natural filling.

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Photos courtesy of Linen Chest

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In a counter-trend, synthetic materials are favoured by those who crave the proper temperature as they go off to dreamland.

This accounts for the rise in sales of gel-filled mattress toppers and pillows, constructed to help air circulate and keep you cool and dry as you sleep, he says.

Whatever material bed linens are made of, we still like the look of white-on-white, and monochromatic shades of ivory, taupe and grey, Leibner finds. For the fashion-forward, colours now trending are navy, blush, and shades of coral. But pretty much any shade found on the fashion runways makes its way quickly to bedding. “The bonus is that these new shades are universally appealing and easy to coordinate with rugs and window treatments,” he says. •

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As with the latest trend in linens, bedroom furniture in matched sets should be banished, says Linda Dolman-Weddel, owner of Accents for Living, which has stores in Guelph and Oakville, Ontario. “The matchy-matchy look of the traditional bedroom suite is out,” she says. “What’s in is choosing pieces that have different finishes but still work together.”

She suggests starting with a standout upholstered headboard, then selecting chests of drawers and night tables that appeal to you, whether they’re of stained or painted wood or with a mirrored surface. Just don’t overdo it, she cautions, lest the eye has too much to take in. The fewer pieces of furniture there are, the greater the feeling of openness and tranquility.

Finally, don’t forget what lies beneath — and above. Very few homes have broadloom in the bedroom anymore, but hardwood floors can be chilly. Placing an area rug under the bed will add warmth underfoot as well as pattern and interest to the decor. If you have enough space, do find a spot for a cozy reading chair, floor lamp and ottoman.

Consider multiple light sources in your bedroom including recessed lights, bedside table lamps, and a decorative ceiling fixture, all on dimmer switches. If you have the ceiling height, consider a dramatic chandelier.

“So often, people consider lighting an afterthought in the bedroom,” says Dolman-Weddel. “But it really is so important when it comes to setting the mood.” • Photos courtesy of Accents for Living

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DESIGN

STYLE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

A Toronto couple create a bedroom sanctuary for themselves and a funky space for their son

BY CHERYL CORNACCHIA PHOTOGRAPHY: JASON HARTOG STYLING: DVIRA OVADIA

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THE COUPLE WANTED A BEDROOM in which they could relax and watch a movie on their own.

Their nine-year-old son needed a bedroom where he could feel grown up and independent. Toronto interior designer Dvira Ovadia managed to meet both sets of the family’s needs by creating unique bedroom decors around powerful statement walls.

Installing a wall-to-wall floral mural in the parents’ master bedroom helped transform it into a luxurious retreat with a romantic, bohemian ambience.

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Covering one wall in the boy’s bedroom in bold, black and white animal-print wallpaper rendered it a cool, edgy space, perfect for a young boy on the cusp of adolescence.

“A statement wall can make a big difference, especially in a bedroom,” says Ovadia, owner of the eponymously named design firm Dvira Interiors. “Bedrooms are a place to create something unique and have a little fun.” And compared to bathrooms, she adds, they are relatively inexpensive to decorate. •

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“It has become a retreat, a place where mom and dad can get away.”

The couple in this case had recently remodelled their 1920s downtown Toronto row house into a contemporary space, and they had built an addition where the master bedroom is located. They wanted their new bedroom to match the overall contemporary style of the house but at the same time to stand apart and elicit a bit of a “wow.”

The floral mural, Ovadia says, creates a romantic mood. The Anewall mural features oversized, stylized begonias in blush tones.

Ovadia used those blush and nude tones as a starting point and replicated them in the furnishings, linens and accent pieces. The addition of a pretty chandelier and translucent glass lamps on the mirror-rimmed night

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tables carry through the romantic mood. It could all be a little too feminine if it were not for the fact that other than the mural, the room was really a blank slate. The bedroom walls were all painted in Benjamin Moore’s Paper White (OC-55), a subtle, soothing white with grey tones; the trim and ceiling were painted Oxford White. The oak floors were white-washed and the built-in floor-to-ceiling cabinet was finished in matte white. “The room has a very calm feel,” says Ovadia. “It has become a retreat, a place where mom and dad can get away.”

The cabinet holds a linear fireplace and f lat-screen television to help make that possible.

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When it came to their son’s bedroom, Ovadia says, she took a similar approach. The room was also a blank slate. As in the master bedroom, the walls here were painted in Benjamin Moore’s Paper White, the oak floors were white-washed, and the built-in cabinets were finished in a matte white. Once again, Ovadia says, it came down to finding a unique wall covering to make the room’s focal point.

“We were looking for something the child could grow into, a room with a bit of a lifespan.” For this room, she says, a hand-painted Aimee Wilder designer paper featuring black and white tigers was a perfect choice. It gave

the space an edgy feel. And, she adds, by adding a cowhide rug and distressed leather headboard, the room became even cooler and more grown up. A charcoal-grey metal trunk from Restoration Hardware and a suspended metal shelf finished the room with a dash of industrial chic.

“The key when doing a bedroom for a young person is to invest in a few key pieces that will last 20 to 25 years and then some,” says Ovadia, noting how the metal trunk could easily become a keeper. “The only thing that would date this room is the wallpaper and you could change that out.” •

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LIFESTYLE

CHOOSING THE BEST

A certified plastic surgeon is advised for cosmetic plastic surgery

IN 2018, MODERN, PROFESSIONAL WOMEN are increasingly opting to undergo cosmetic surgery in order to look their best and feel confident in their careers. If you are one of them, you need to consider the Clinique de Chirurgie Plastique de Montréal (CCPM).

The private clinic is on the leading edge of surgical treatments in Canada.

“The CCPM, established in 1963, is known for answering your questions with honesty and sincerity. Asking about those aesthetic changes that one might desire can be stressful, but patients leave the CCPM in comfort that their issues will be managed with care,” says Diane Dansereau, the clinic’s director general.

“One of the key questions that needs to be asked is: Who should do the surgery?” she says, explaining that you should seek the help of a board-certified plastic surgeon, not simply a “doctor in aesthetic medicine,” or an “aesthetic surgeon.”

“These terms do not mean the practitioner is actually a certified plastic surgeon,” she says. “The distinction is very important.”

The Clinique de Chirurgie Plastique de Montréal is where you will meet Dr. Ezat Hashim, a leading certified plastic surgeon.

Dr. Hashim has worked at the clinic since 2000. He is one of only about 100 plastic surgeons in Quebec. He is also a member of the staff at Hôpital Notre-Dame, which is part of the CHUM – the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal – and is an associate professor at l’Université de Montréal.

He is also a fellow of the Royal College of physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Plastic Surgery, a member of the Association des Spécialistes en Chirurgie Plastique et Esthétique du Québec, a member of the Collège des Médecins du Québec, is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the Canadian Society for Aesthetic (Cosmetic) Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Ezat Hashim

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Dr. Hashim, who has completed more than 1,000 facelifts, uses state-of-the-art surgical techniques and performs the procedure using local anesthetic. “It is a routine procedure for him and results are exquisite, beautiful and sublime, with a fast recovery,” says Diane Dansereau. “Patients can generally return to work after two to three weeks.” Whether you are contemplating a facelift, eyelid surgery, a breast lift, breast augmentation or a tummy tuck, “trust only the best,” she says. “The Clinique de Chirurgie Plastique de Montreal is definitely the place to go!” •

Clinique de Chirurgie Plastique de Montreal 2381 Gouin Blvd. W., Montreal 514-277-6644 www.ccpmtl.com

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HAPPY COLOURS An apartment near Mumbai is designed in strong hues and a mix of traditional and contemporary furnishings

BY PHILLIPA RISPIN PHOTOGRAPHY: PRASHANT BHAT

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THE EXPRESSIONS working from home and home office carry different meanings for different people. For some, it means having a laptop and a favourite space on the sofa, or a table or desk in a corner of the living room. Some are lucky enough to have an entire room. This apartment in Thane, a city near Mumbai, India, has not one but two offices.

It’s a very large home and business space, made out of two mirror-image adjoining apartments. The common wall shared by the

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two living rooms was demolished, giving the new apartment a total of 7,300 square feet.

It’s owned by a man and his son, who are in business together, and it also accommodates the son’s wife and two daughters.

The elder businessman is not just a captain of industry; he’s also a prominent person in his community. He and his family need space for work, space for formally receiving members of the community, and space for private family life and entertaining.

(Preceding pages) Two apartments combined into one make for an enormous formal seating area, with expanses of walls broken up by dimensional treatments. (Above) The two combined apartments are home to three generations of one family: the paterfamilias, his son, and the son’s wife and two daughters. In the son’s office, an artificial turf floor offers a vibrant contrast against the dark walnut furnishings with their hint of traditional Asian design.

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The father’s office has a more contemporary aesthetic of clean lines. Colours are mostly subdued, but his favourite, orange, is subtly featured in a tabletop sculpture.

The main person behind the interiors is Manish Dikshit, a partner and design principal in AUM Architects. He and designers Sonali Pandit and Nachiket Borawake had their work cut out for them, adapting the combined apartments’ decor and layouts to make distinct areas within a cohesive whole.

They did this by demolishing only a few walls; instead, they used dividers, colour, and dimensional ceiling and wall treatments to signify the changes in function. •

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“The ceiling height is not the best; it’s 9.75 feet high,” Dikshit says. “It’s a critical element. In the apartment’s elongated spaces, we added lots of vertical elements to give a sense of height. All of the areas have been very distinctly done; however, we have tried to smooth the transition from one space to another. The boundaries have been created in a way so that it’s a subtle conversation between any two spaces. At the same time, one is surprised at the metamorphosis.

“Because it’s a big apartment, we recommended that they should not have one big living space,” he continues. “They need different zones so that they can enjoy the space but it’s not monotonous.”

One end of the huge main living area is dedicated to dining. A curved wall partitions it from the main entrance to provide “a little bit of suspense for visitors,” says design principal Manish Dikshit.

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Apart from wanting to make each room different for aesthetic reasons, Dikshit and colleagues used the many spaces to accommodate two distinct tastes in decor. The paterfamilias, who is almost 60 years old, has somewhat contemporary tastes, and he also loves the colour orange. “He wears only orange clothing,” Dikshit says. “He told us that no matter what happens, ‘I need orange in my room, but use it in a subtle way.’ ” The 35-year-old son’s taste runs more to classic Indian style. “He lived in Germany for four years, and feels that the difference between continents is colours,” Dikshit explains. “He said that greys and blacks appear so often in Europe, and that ‘I want colour

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in my house,’ so we gave him colour but, to remind him of his time abroad, in one room (a guest room) we gave him one black wall.”

Even there, however, there are large warm elements introduced through wood furniture.

A noticeable feature of the apartment is the use of dimensional ceiling and wall treatments. Perhaps the most striking is in the prayer room, dedicated to Lord Krishna. The walls and floor are pale colours and mostly unadorned, but rising behind the altar and across the ceiling is a sophisticated treatment of closely spaced slats of wood that cause interesting patterns of light. They give a warm, organic effect in a space of quiet, non-distracting decor. •

(Above) The family members are devotees of Lord Krishna. Their prayer room is sparely decorated, and lighting design creates interesting patterns on the wood slats covering the ceiling and one wall.

(Left) The informal seating area is divided from the formal living room by a geometric openwork screen.

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The formal living room is a large space and makes full use of wall treatments to make it feel more intimate and to emphasize various areas. Its feature wall comprises turquoise textured expanses, which flank a custom-made two-dimensional marble panel that forms a focal point, and a wooden partition overlapping the textured wall at one end.

“Since the seating extends beyond the feature wall, we used this wooden partition to give more length to the seating arrangement, and also this partition is the divider between the formal seating and informal seating on the other side,” Dikshit says. •

(Above) The master bedroom used by the son and his wife features intricate detail and plush textures. (Right) There are three guest bedrooms in the home. This one’s geometric headboard and blue tones make subtle reference to the living area’s decor.

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The late editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine Diana Vreeland famously said that “pink is the navy blue of India.” The girls’ bedroom and playroom make good use of a vibrant “navy blue.” (Bottom left) In a guest bedroom, a chartreuse headboard glows against a wall of “navy blue” softened to a more millennial pink shade.

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The paterfamilias’s bedroom reflects his love of the colour orange and preference for contemporary and Mid-century Modern styles.

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The home’s melding of two apartments into one provides two enormous balconies offering wide views of the Thane skyline.

The informal seating area decor shows an Asian influence, which is also expressed in several other parts of the apartment. In this seating area, wallpaper in subtle shades of gold forms the background against which Asian minimalist furniture has been placed.

Private areas such as bedrooms and guest rooms all have their own strong personalities.

“The concept is that people get bored if they see the same thing again and again, so every room is completely different,” Dikshit says.

“There’s a surprise element. Every room has dramatic decor but blends well together.” •

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DESIGN

CREATING A WOW! EFFECT

Interior designer Nadine Thomson bestows dramatic design on this Baie d’Urfé powder room

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BY NADINE THOMSON PHOTOGRAPHY: LUISA GONZALEZ

THIS HOUSE IN BAIE D’URFÉ, on Montreal’s West Island, offers beautiful views of Lake St. Louis.

And when Gene and Mary Tsartolias bought it in 1990, they saw a diamond in the rough.

Eighteen years ago, the couple did a largescale renovation on the house, followed by a more modest “refresh” in 2012. Fast forward to 2018 and the now empty-nesters have braved yet another renovation starting with this ground-floor powder room.

As is typical of many homes, this one has a powder room that is a small, high-traffic space used by everyone, including guests.

My clients asked me to create a spectacular showcase space that would reflect their personalities; they’re willing to take design risks while keeping a strong focus on durable materials and high functionality. They also wished to keep a few of the room’s existing elements to ensure continuity between the new space and the rest of the home’s details and craftmanship.

At 55 by 61 inches (approximately 23 square feet), this space was definitely a challenge to design because of its modest dimensions. Since powder rooms are meant for quick visits, a dramatic look works well. This was a perfect opportunity to create a wow factor, which we did by installing a contemporary piece of furniture as the vanity.

We also used various shades of warm gold and shimmering black through wallpaper and wainscotting. The result? A space that was transformed from a humdrum utilitarian room into a pièce de résistance. •

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1. The original powder room’s solid oak moldings and door were preserved along with the crystal knobs with brass detailing and matching solid-brass hinges. The original colour and finish of the outside of the door was kept, but the inside was painted the same colour as the wainscot (Benjamin Moore Jet Black 2120-10) with a high-gloss finish.

Don’t let the name fool you; this is actually a very warm black with a strong undertone of brown and it has a soft-black feeling. There’s nothing harsh about it.

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2. The clients loved the idea of a marble floor. However, they were concerned about the maintenance and performance of such a delicate material in a high-traffic area.

Instead, they opted for a high-gloss-finish porcelain tile that replicates marble but is more durable. Ciot cut the 24-by-24-inch porcelain tiles down to three-quarters of an inch by three inches for a classic herringbone pattern; they were placed on a mesh for easy installation.

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3. The Hudson Metal Single Washstand, fitted with a Lugarno faucet with aged-brass finish, is from Restoration Hardware. It has a Caesarstone counter in Pure White and occupies approximately half of the floor space. However, because it has an open bottom, this piece of furniture does not feel obtrusive, and it affords the homeowners much-needed counterspace that they didn’t have with their previous pedestal sink. The countertop is extremely durable.

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4. We repurposed a vanity mirror that, against the contrast of the wallpaper, was reinvigorated with new life; it doesn’t even look like the same mirror.

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5. A point to consider with an open-bottom vanity is the plumbing. Drains and water-intake valves are visible, so they should be beautiful and finished in the same metal that is being used throughout the space.

In this case, the metal is aged brass, which added a significant cost to the project as well as some headaches: we had to locate the supplier from Restoration Hardware whose plating is the same as that on the legs and faucet.

Whatever finish you are working with in your bathroom renovation, the challenge is to find the exact colour among the various suppliers. For instance, Restoration Hardware’s aged brass is not the same as that of other companies.

At one point, we had to let go of trying to find exact matches and realized that having all the metals in the same tone and warmth was more than sufficient. This creates a curated environment and allowed us to dispense with our obsession for the perfect match.

In the end, everything works together in harmony.

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6. The wainscotting sits slightly higher than standard to create a significant backsplash for the vanity. The top of the panelling is 40 inches from the floor to provide the vanity with a 6-inch backsplash. We also installed raised panels in the wainscot and lined up the top of the one above the toilet with the top of the vanity to create a continuous horizontal line around the room. By doing so, we also created a generous space between the top of the panel and the chair rail that allowed us to install a glass shelving unit above the toilet. It added elegance as well as needed storage space.

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BUYERS’ GUIDE

CREATING A WOW! EFFECT Nadine Thomson Interior Design www.nadinethomson.com 514-775-2259 FACE-OFF Tina Cartier www.tinacartier.com 438-887-2410 STYLE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Dvira Interiors www.dvira.com 416-457-8827 HAPPY COLOURS AUM Architects www.aumarchitects.in +91-22-2418-3633 A MEETING OF MINDS Synthesis Design www.synthesisdesign.ca 604-980-2087 CLOTHED IN COMMENTARY Lesley Hampton www.lesleyhampton.com 647-225-1373 ALL SOUPED UP Kitskitchen www.kitskitchen.ca 778-968-1987 ~ 778-855-0841 Café Santropol www.santropol.com 514-842-3110

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Soupa Café www.soupacafe.com 250-380-0856 Julie Daniluk www.juliedaniluk.com COMFY, COZY AND ECLECTIC Accents for Living www.accentsforliving.ca 519-822-2929

Cocoon Furnishings www.cocoonfurnishings.ca 905-829-2780

Linen Chest www.linenchest.com

Fino Lino www.finolino.net 604-736-1828

Fabricville www.fabricville.com EASY TO BE GREEN Nature Humaine www.naturehumaine.com 514-273-6316 CHOOSING THE BEST Clinique de Chirurgie Plastique de Montreal www.ccpmtl.com 514-277-6644

IN SYNC WITH ITS SURROUNDINGS MU Architecture www.architecture-mu.com 514-907-9092 WELCOME ABOARD Bourgeois/Lechasseur Architectes www.bourgeoislechasseur.com 418-914-0590 A TOTAL TRANSFORMATION Alain Carle Architecte www.alaincarle.ca 514-989-1739 MULTI-GENERATIONAL GETAWAY Engel & Völkers www.felixjasmin.evcanada.com 514-507-7888 ~ 514-886-6620 A PIECE OF HISTORY, LOVINGLY RESTORED Sylvie Ménard, Real Estate Broker www.sylviemenard.com 514-827-6200 Anka Buzolitch, Real Estate Photographer www.abfoto.ca 514-601-1351 WHY WAIT FOR SPRING? DO IT NOW Services Paysagers Dominique Filion www.dominiquefilion.ca 450-653-0000

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IN OUR NEXT ISSUE

K itchen s a nd bath room s. They’re functional rooms that we all need in order to have comfortable lives. And when they’re well designed, they also please us with their beauty as well as their functionality. In our next issue – Kitchen and Bath Trends – we’ll show you everything from great design to high functionality. Whether you’re thinking of adding a spectacular island to your kitchen as a gathering place for your family or adding a steam shower to your master ensuite as an end-ofday sanctuary, you’ll find the issue full of useful prof iles and information.

Moreover, Kitchen and Bath Trends will officially launch our transformation into an exciting new national magazine. Be sure to get your copy.

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