THE
TRENDS ISSUE
THAT 70s HOUSE
A Toronto builder refreshes a 45-year-old Modernist-style home
TILE TRENDS The latest tile styles for floors, walls and more
EVOKING EMOTION
Scott MacKenzie’s landscape art taps into deep feelings
SUSTAINABLE MAKEOVERS
GREEN REAL ESTATE
Buying and selling eco-friendly homes
GLORIOUS GREECE
Athens and Santorini beckon as a summer destination
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The trend toward environmentally friendly renovations
THIS SUMMER’S ASTROLOGICAL ACTIVITY
BARISTA-STYLE HOME COFFEE MACHINES
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EDITOR’S LETTER
EVERYONE WANTS TO LIVE in a home that is visually pleasing as well as practical and functional. That’s why so many of us renovate. Overhauling a home allows us to create precisely the environment that suits our lifestyles and tastes. The trend toward renovating residential properties is a relatively recent one. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, for instance, homeowners were so focused on just getting by financially that they made do with the homes they had, if they hadn’t already lost their homes because of the catastrophic state of the economy. The post-war period saw an unprecedented housing boom that met the needs of the baby boom. So, the 1950s and 60s were decades of brand-new houses that didn’t need a lot of TLC. But by the 1970s and 80s, many of those post-war homes were in need of facelifts, and the renovation industry kicked into high gear. The trend toward improving residential properties does not seem to be abating. Think about the homeowners you know and consider how many of them have renovated their homes. While it can be cathartic to discard worn-out old bathroom fixtures, kitchen cabinets, mouldy dr y wall a nd war ped flooring in favour of newer, better materials and fixtures, there is an environmental price to pay for upgrading our homes. All of
those discarded items have to go somewhere and, in the past, they’ve gone straight to landfill sites. The planet pays the price when we renovate. That’s why I feel so sanguine about a trend that signals positive change. In this issue, writer Phillipa Rispin tells us about renovation companies that are g uided by ecological values. From building to renovating, these companies implement environmentally sound principles to ensure that their footprints on Mother Earth are as light as possible. And they’re building or renovating houses that exert less pressure on the environment. Phillipa also interviewed Jennifer Lynn Walker, a real estate broker who is guided by the same environmental concerns. I hope that Jennifer’s eco-conscious approach to buying and selling homes is the beginning of a trend in her industry. Because this is our annual Trends issue, writer Susan Kelly looks at what’s new in tiles: ceramics, porcelain and natural stone. And Julie Gedeon tells us about colour trends. Hint: They’ve been getting increasingly vibrant in recent years. Julie interviewed colour expert Marie-Chantal Milette about colour’s impact on our moods and behaviours. It’s always interesting to watch trends develop. I fervently hope that the trend toward a new eco-consciousness will continue and that we’ll all embrace that change.
STEPHANIE WHITTAKER Editor-in-Chief stephanie@movatohome.com There are several ways you can stay in touch with us: @movatohome @movatohome @movatohome
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CONTRIBUTORS
JULIE GEDEON Julie Gedeon, a seasoned writer, editor and writing instructor/ coach, is grateful to colour expert Marie-Chantal Milette for helping her to see the world more vividly. “I notice all the different shades of foliage during hikes a lot more now, knowing that people see more kinds of green than any other colour,” Julie says in reference to the story she wrote after interviewing the founder of Kryptonie The Color Agency. “I also pay more attention to how colours might be influencing my thinking.” PHILLIPA RISPIN Writer/editor Phillipa Rispin had fun researching her stories about sustainable renovating and a “green” real estate broker. “It was interesting learning how four different sizes of business, in three Canadian metropolitan areas, approached the issue,” she says. “I could discern slight regional differences but, because the businesses are dedicated to the same basic philosophy of eco-consciousness, there were far more similarities. On the other hand, only one renovator told me about searching for a family’s cat lost in the ductwork. The quest ended happily; however, the telling of it ended with ‘I’ve found other things in walls I’d rather not mention.’ But that’s a story for another day.” LARRY ARNAL Toronto photographer Larry Arnal says that despite all of the amazing homes he photographs for this magazine, “I can still be surprised.” He cites as an example the recent photoshoot he did of a Kingsway home that had been renovated by builder Rose Barroso. “Although the house was built in 1973, it came with timeless features that are still ahead of the trend today,” Larry says. “Rose and her team are bringing it even further into the future, thanks to her talent and expertise in luxury-home building and automation.” NADINE THOMSON Nadine Thomson is an interior designer who began her career designing the stylish interiors of high-end private jets for members of the corporate elite. For the past 20 years, she has been the principal designer at Nadine Thomson Interior Design, specializing in residential and commercial spaces. She is also an instructor in interior design at a college in Montreal. For this issue, Nadine explains how she designed an ensuite bathroom for her clients and tells us how to get the look. SUSAN KELLY Trends have always fascinated frequent contributor Susan Kelly. “I’m always wondering why,” she says. “Why does a particular colour or style, out of all the myriad possibilities, appeal to our consciousness?” For this issue, Susan was glad to get some far-seeing answers about tile trends from industry insiders across the country. She also dons her astrologer chapeau for another feature story in which she muses how this summer’s celestial trends might influence our lives and home decor choices. Susan provides weekly forecasts via Facebook at Susan Kelly Astrology.
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THE TRENDS ISSUE
Volume 8, Number 4, Trends Issue 2018 Date of Issue: July, 2018
6100 TransCanada Highway Suite 100, Pointe-Claire Quebec H9R 1B9
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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 Sarah B. Hood Susan Kelly La Carmina Brenda O’Farrell Phillipa Rispin Karen Seidman Nadine Thomson
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Azrieli PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Wendy Loper CONTROLLER Jenny Marques DIRECTOR OF SALES - NATIONAL Kelly Chicoine DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SALES - ONTARIO Grant Wells FOUNDER Leah Lipkowitz
LEGAL DEPOSIT issn
PHOTOGRAPHY Larry Arnal Younes Bounhar Robert Costain Courtney Hordyk Joel Hordyk Amanda Large Jeff McNeill Valerie Wilcox STYLING Rose Barroso Heather Lewis Alyssa Terpstra
1927-324x Toronto Home
Magazine Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Any copying or reproduction of content without the written permission of Toronto Home Magazine is strictly prohibited.
Sophia Sofa
1168 Caledonia Road Toronto North of Lawrence Avenue 416-532-2891 barrymorefurniture.com Handmade in Toronto 有中文服务
CONTENTS
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28 ON THE COVER THAT 70S HOUSE A 1973 home, reimagined for today, stands the test of time
GRACIOUS GROUNDS
A sophisticated and elegant landscape in the Bridle Path neighbourhood is conceived to look timeless
48
HELLENIC HOLIDAY
Create your own Golden Age by vacationing in Athens and Santorini this summer
66 EVOCATIVE VIEWS
Artist Scott MacKenzie paints landscapes to inspire deep emotions in viewers
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SOUTHERN SOUTHERN
L ILVI V IN GGDDEESSI IGGNNI Innc.c. IN
LOVE YOUR SPACE LOVE YOUR SPACE
southernlivingdesign.ca WE KEEP GOOD COMPANY...
I 844 Southdown Road, Mississauga, Ontario L5J 2Y4 I | southernlivingdesign.ca 905.823.3036 I | 844 Southdown Rd, Mississauga, Ontario L5J 2Y4 | 905.823.3036 |
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CONTENTS
EDITOR’S LETTER
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THIS JUST IN
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An array of new products for your home Trends Special Feature
40
MOODY BLUES - AND GREENS AND REDS, TOO
LAKESIDE SERENITY
Colour has a strong impact on our psyches
An innovatively designed home in the Kawartha Lakes region gives a family exactly what they wanted
Trends Special Feature
60
FEAST YOUR EYES The newest restaurants are being designed to connect diners with the folks who prepare their meals
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SUMMER STARS This season’s astrology is characterized by three eclipses and a retrograde planet Trends Special Feature
92
THE TREND TOWARD TREADING LIGHTLY Some Canadian renovation companies are offering environmentally sustainable services
GREEN REAL ESTATE
104
Sustainability is a key value for this real estate broker
HAPPY HANG-OUT
Trends Special Feature
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136
LOUNGING WITH A FINE VINTAGE Wine lounges for tasting the grape are the latest addition to an oenophile’s home
138
FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES An Ancaster designer takes cues from her children when redesigning several rooms in their home
148
SMALL SPACE, BIG IMPACT How a designer packed a lot of wow into a modest-sized bathroom
150
NEW HOUSE, NEW LANDSCAPE A rebuild in Niagara-on-the-Lake brings an updated garden style to an established area
158
WAKE UP! SMELL THE COFFEE! How to select the right barista-style coffee maker for your kitchen
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A redesigned Toronto home becomes a joyful magnet for neighbourhood children
126 Trends Special Feature
DIAL UP THE STYLE WITH TILE
There are stunning choices in the new ceramic, porcelain and stone tiles on the market
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DESIGN
1. GREAT GLOBES This tiered pendant luminaire with
Union Lighting
strié glass globes adds contemporary
1491 Castlefield Ave., Toronto
style with subtle crystal accents. We
416-652-2200
show polished nickel; it’s also available
www.unionlf.com
in hand-rubbed antique brass. 28˝ W x 23.25˝ H. $2,699.99. 1
2. SCANDI STYLE, UNIVERSAL COMFORT
2
3
3. FIGURATIVE IMPRESSIONS
Smooth contours and sleek lines characterize the Dansk
Subtle traces of figures can be seen in this dynamic design
lounge chair by Gloster, with its teak frame and outdoor
expertly woven in silk and wool. Luxurious variations of gold
leather upholstery. Also available in grey with matching
and blue enhance the character of this intriguing rug.
side tables and coffee tables to complete the set. Weavers Art Southern Living Design
1400 Castlefield Ave., Toronto ~ 416-929-7929
844 Southdown Rd., Mississauga
255 Bass Pro Mills Dr., Vaughan ~ 905-660-7929
905-823-3036
www.weaversart.com
www.southernlivingdesign.ca
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Expression of excellence
WHEN INTRODUCING THE "X" FACTOR INTO A PREDOMINANT "Y" BUSINESS WORLD, THE RESULTS ARE BOUNDLESS. The build is no longer just a build. It is a creation that is born with endless possibilities. All senses are considered. All possibilities are taken and the true essence of your vision is born.
"I take pride in being a strong woman in a traditionally male dominated industry."
C: (416) 723.9984 | barroso@bell.net
barrosohomes.com
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DESIGN
1. AHOY, LANDLUBBERS! Take your ease in the Sailboat day bed at poolside or on the back deck. With its all-weather weave on an aluminum frame, plus Sunbrella fabric cushions and canopy, it can weather the elements handily. $8,365. Casualife Outdoor Living 6 Shields Crt., Unit 1, Markham ~ 905-475-8353 100 Lakeshore Rd. E., Mississauga ~ 905-990-5433 www.casualife.ca
2. ESCHERESQUE The Cella line of carpeting offers
Allan Rug
three varying geometric patterns
103 Miranda Ave., Toronto
for an on-trend floor covering.
416-787-1707
The 100 per cent wool carpeting
www.allanrug.com
can be installed wall-to-wall or 1
2
3
4
custom-made into area rugs.
3. NOTHING NEUTRAL ABOUT THIS
4. FABULOUS FLOAT
We don’t know if the Neutra line of faucets was named after Richard
The stylish Float line of acrylic bathroom accessories features
Neutra, but that architect would probably approve of this sleek, modern-
a sleek modern look with transparent stripe details. Available
istic design in stainless steel, with either a satin or polished finish. The
in grey, white, black or purple to suit your decor.
line includes mixers, mixer sets, other spouts and shower heads, all with water-saving features.
Linen Chest www.linenchest.com
Canaroma Bath & Tile 7979 Weston Rd., Vaughan 905-856-7979 www.canaroma.com
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DESIGN TORONTO TRENDS 2018
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6. HIGH STYLE, BAR NONE Integrated LED lighting modules cast light all around from this intriguing chandelier. It’s available in two sizes and three finishes: black, brushed aluminum, and aged brass. Union Lighting 1491 Castlefield Ave., Toronto
5. DRAMATIC DISK
416-652-2200
The Sundial cocktail table by Panavista floats on its recessed plinth
www.unionlf.com
base. Its graphite-coloured high-sheen parchment finish with satin brass bar stock embedded into the top and sides adds another layer of visual interest to an eye-catching piece. 48˝ W X 48˝ D X 17˝ H. Import Temptations 188 Bentworth Ave., Toronto 416-256-3150 www.import-temptations.com
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7. PICTURE THIS Embrace the scenic outdoors with Lepage Millwork’s new Picture Unit. These smartly designed windows offer large openings, thanks to a slim but exceptionally strong wooden structure. Bringing light deep into a room, they provide floor-to-ceiling unobstructed views. Chateau Window & Door Systems 90 Tycos Dr., suite 1, Toronto 416-783-3916 x235 www.chateauwindows.com
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DESIGN
1. STYLISH WARMTH Runtal, renowned for decorative hot-water radiators, offers a new line of residential electric products (wall-mounted and pedestal-mounted electric baseboards, wall panels, towel radiators) suitable for use as a primary heat source, as a supplement in a hard-to-heat space, or simply in an area where additional warmth is treasured. Runtal North America 2861 Sherwood Heights Dr., Unit 21, Oakville 1-905-829-4941 www.rdes.ca
1 2
3
2. LAUNDRY AID Make doing laundry slightly less painful with this pull-out laundry hamper. Sort as you go with the removable soft bag for easy laundry management. Hampers integrate with closet systems for seamless design and functionality. Simply Closets 71 Marycroft Ave., Unit 27, Woodbridge 416-385-8855 www.simplyclosets.ca
3. ALFRESCO SOPHISTICATION Furnish your deck or patio in
Southern Living Design
style with the Peacock lounge
844 Southdown Rd., Mississauga
chair by Cane-line. The legs are
905-823-3036
teak and the seat is polypropylene
www.southernlivingdesign.ca
rope, making it an easy clean. Frames are available in light grey and dusty blue, and cushions are available in grey or light-grey NattĂŠ canvas from Sunbrella.
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DESIGN TORONTO TRENDS 2018
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4. SUMMER STYLE
5. STRIKE THE RIGHT TONE
Iron frame and legs in a black
bar stool and lounge chair all in
This two-tone linear chandelier
Union Lighting
finish contrast with a natural
the same style and materials.
would look terrific above a dining
1491 Castlefield Ave., Toronto
table or kitchen island. Five glass
416-652-2200 www.unionlf.com
open rattan weave to give breezy summer style to the Vero 24-inch
Cocoon Furnishings
globes with gold fittings glow
counter stool. The fixed uphol-
2695 Bristol Cir., Unit 2, Oakville
against the weathered black
stered seat is available in a variety
905-829-2780
fixture. 6˝ W x 36˝ L x 15.75˝ H.
of fabrics. This stool is part of a
www.cocoonfurnishings.ca
$429.99.
family of seating: counter stool,
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6. BLUE BEAUTY The Serapi 1400 carpet features a timeless Persian design with geometric motifs highlighted in a modern colour palette. Vegetable-dyed and hand-knotted in pure wool, Serapi is the perfect bridge between traditional and contemporary design. Weavers Art 1400 Castlefield Ave., Toronto ~ 416-929-7929 255 Bass Pro Mills Dr., Vaughan ~ 905-660-7929 www.weaversart.com
7. DOUBLE DUTY The Morand desk would make an
Cocoon Furnishings
equally handsome console with up-
2695 Bristol Cir., Unit 2, Oakville
to-the-moment style. We show it
905-829-2780
covered in sorel grey faux shagreen
www.cocoonfurnishings.ca
with antique gold-finished metal hardware, but it’s also available in truffled taupe faux shagreen with gold leaf-finished metal, and in bone faux shagreen with antique gold leaf-finished metal.
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DESIGN
1. WOODEN WHIMSY
2. ANCIENT MEETS CONTEMPORARY
Enjoy the Rope bar stool outside on the deck or patio, or bring it indoors
Historical motifs of Persian Bachtiari patterns complement the modern
for a natural accent to your decor. Made of teak, with taupe exteri-
elements of this rich and distinctive hand-knotted rug. Made with the
or-grade rope webbing. $245.
finest-quality Chinese silk and handspun Tibetan wool.
Casualife Outdoor Living
Weavers Art
6 Shields Crt., Unit 1, Markham ~ 905-475-8353
1400 Castlefield Ave., Toronto ~ 416-929-7929
100 Lakeshore Rd. E., Mississauga ~ 905-990-5433
255 Bass Pro Mills Dr., Vaughan ~ 905-660-7929 2
3
4
www.weaversart.com
3. JOIN THE CLUB
4. SOPHISTICATED STRIPES
The Beretta club chair melds the modern simplicity of 1940s
Transforming your bedroom with effortlessly sophisticated appeal, the
Scandinavian design with 1960s Hollywood glamour. In premium
Brady duvet cover features classic stripes in grey, neutral tones with a
top-grain leather from Argentina on a kiln-dried hardwood frame,
highlight of denim blue. This textural woven jacquard features a geomet-
it sits on brass-plated stainless-steel legs. 31˝ W X 28˝ D X 29.5˝ H.
ric reverse printed on cotton.
Import Temptations
Linen Chest
188 Bentworth Ave., Toronto
www.linenchest.com
416-256-3150 www.import-temptations.com
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DESIGN
GLITTER & GLOW
1. RAINBOW CONNECTION A slim chain on each side connects to a 14-kt yellow gold bar set with 10 stones for a 0.08-ct rainbow of colours. Two diamonds nestled in between provide an additional 0.02 carats of bling. Mark Lash 480 Eglinton Ave. W., Toronto ~ 416-256-5229 9033 Leslie St., Richmond Hill ~ 905-881-5229 1
2. HOOPLA
2
3
www.marklash.com
3. BAR NONE
Looking for a stylish gift? These hoops are a slam dunk.
This is possibly the slimmest, most elegant
From each 2.5-inch hoop of 14-kt yellow gold hang 17
bangle you can find. In 14-kt yellow gold,
diamonds, with the pair totalling 1.04 carats.
it features a bar flashing with 53 diamonds for a total of 0.16 carats.
Mark Lash 480 Eglinton Ave. W., Toronto ~ 416-256-5229
Mark Lash
9033 Leslie St., Richmond Hill ~ 905-881-5229
480 Eglinton Ave. W., Toronto ~ 416-256-5229
www.marklash.com
9033 Leslie St., Richmond Hill ~ 905-881-5229 www.marklash.com
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THE TRENDS ISSUE
Canada’s Ultimate Destination Today’s Finest Contemporary & Most Up-to-Date Collections
Bedding Bath Decor Kitchen Gifts Electrics Tabletop Glass & Barware Mattress
28 stores
linenchest.com
Canadian owned
Leaside Village (Toronto) 416-425-0533 • Richmond (Toronto) 416-260-2158 • Stockyards (Toronto) 416-760-9704 • Erin Mills Power Centre (Mississauga) 905-828-4449 Heartland Town Centre (Mississauga) 905-502-5399 • Colossus Power Centre (Vaughan) 905-856-6430 • Westwood Power Center (London) 519-680-2615
CLASSIC IN A NEW COMPOSITION Kitchen Interior Design www.siematic.com
available at 1055 Bay Street, Toronto 416-286-2222 www.binnskitchens.com
DESIGN
DESIGN THAT HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME A 45-year-old house, updated for today’s lifestyle, looks fabulous after all these years BY KAREN SEIDMAN PHOTOGRAPHY: LARRY ARNAL STYLING: ROSE BARROSO
IN 1973, WHEN THIS OPEN-CONCEPT HOME in the Kingsway area of Toronto was built – inspired by acclaimed architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Fallingwater home in rural Pennsylvania - the idea of a Zen home would have been as foreign to the owners as a cell phone. The world was still in love with shag carpets and princess phones, after all. •
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DESIGN TORONTO TRENDS 2018
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DESIGN
And yet, the cantilevered home, wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass and with an interior that is as contemporary as anything built today, has that perfect Zen-like ambience, which is so coveted in today’s housing market. Minimalistic. Open. Airy. Linear. Natural materials creating a sense of serenity. No one believes custom home builder Rose Barroso, owner of Barroso Homes, when she tells them that the house was built in 1973, and was inspired by one built in 1935.
The home’s cantilevered structure can be seen from the living room, the decor of which was warmed up by builder Rose Barroso’s signature use of red furnishings. The main deck, with its treehouse ambience, is just off the main living area.
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DESIGN TORONTO TRENDS 2018
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“THE BACK PATIO IS LIKE A TREEHOUSE. DEER LITERALLY COME TO THE FRONT DOOR.”
“It looks that modern,” says Barroso, who had been eyeing the property for a decade before it slipped almost effortlessly into her grasp about a year-and-a-half ago. “I build modern homes so I love Wright’s designs, and I wanted to keep the original look and feel of it,” she says.
Despite this being her dream home, which she appropriately named Karma8, Barroso has so far chosen not to live there. She reserves the right to change her mind about that one day, but for now she is content to rent it out for movies, commercials and photo shoots, commanding a fee of $3,500 to $5,500 a day. •
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DESIGN
The modern-style kitchen dates back to 1973, when Sub-Zero refrigerators weren’t exactly common. Barroso had all the appliances professionally polished, and searched the Internet for parts to repair them, allowing her to put the kitchen back in working order.
“It’s great; it’s become a house of wonderful stories, of glamour and art,” Barroso says. “It’s very sought after.” Actress Sharon Stone has been there. Recently, a Toronto rapper filmed a music video there. Next, the crew of a Marvel heroes TV series will spend a week filming its first episode there. On the day we spoke, a photo shoot for a swimwear company was scheduled at the house.
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DESIGN TORONTO TRENDS 2018
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Barroso doesn’t believe it’s the size of the house that generates so much interest – although at almost 7,000 square feet, it’s certainly sweeping in scope – but the uniqueness of it that is its main selling point. The house comprises four levels cascading down a verdant hillside toward nearby Silver Creek. “It’s like living in the trees,” she says. “The back patio is like a treehouse. Deer literally come to the front door.” •
The glassed-in dining room with its vaulted ceiling is one of the home’s showpieces. The Brazilian teak floors and the fabulous lacquered-wood root sculpture, from Artemano, bring the sylvan ambience of the outdoors inside.
“IT’S BECOME A HOUSE OF WONDERFUL STORIES, OF GLAMOUR AND ART.”
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DESIGN
The rear of the home is translucent, and almost every room offers a scenic outdoor view. The master retreat is enclosed in a giant glass cube. There’s parking for six, a swimming pool, a fitness studio, and a sauna. When Barroso bought the house, which was designed by architect Blake Millar, the bones of it were great. All the rosewood used in the master bedroom, the skylights bathing it in a luminous glow, Brazilian-teak floors, marble walls in the bathroom, and exposed, accented structural elements – including three linear, wood-burning fireplaces, which are all the rage in home design now - all created a special, luxurious space.
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But the skylights leaked. The furnace and air-conditioning didn’t work and had to be replaced. Some of the appliances didn’t function and couldn’t be replaced because new ones wouldn’t fit the space. Most of the showers didn’t work “and had to be repaired from old spare parts in order to keep the original finishes,” says Barroso. And, she adds, “we still cannot figure out how to use the existing sound system. It has only one mode: party mode, which means it’s super loud and there’s no way to scale it down.” •
The red wall in the bedroom is Barroso’s signature touch, and it really enhances the gorgeous grain of the rosewood wall. The rosewood cabinets in the master bathroom are complemented by the bookmatched marble walls, counters and floors.
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DESIGN
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DESIGN TORONTO TRENDS 2018
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Moreover, the house was painfully sterile in shades of white, black and grey. “I needed to warm it up,” says Barroso. “The pops of colour are subtle but welcoming.” Her signature look is to have one piece of red furniture and one red wall in every home she builds. The wall is always the same colour: Benjamin Moore’s Million Dollar Red. The red wall in the master bedroom, next to the gorgeous grain of the rosewood wall and against the backdrop of the trees outdoors, brings the room to life. The red Structube sofas in the living room have a similar effect.
Warming a place up and making it family-friendly is what Barroso believes has made her successful as a builder. “I think about the cooking and the kids coming home and will they have a place to talk to Mom while dinner is being prepared,” she says. “I always consider the family element. My success, I believe, is from bringing a woman’s perspective into the design or build.” There is also her astonishing drive. “My husband says I have no brakes,” she says. “It’s always go, go go.” •
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FURNITURE & DESIGN
85 Navy Street, Oakville 905.849.8537 8 Brock Road, Guelph 519.822.2929 accentsforliving.ca
t rn this baby on
Great homes start with . North America’s largest lighting showroom, Union, now offers an exquisite array of furniture, lighting fixtures, designer inspired drapery, quality mattresses and a new outdoor patio gallery. Visit our newly expanded showroom today and experience our “Total Home” collection. www.unionlf.com
t: 416.652.2200
1491 Castlefield Ave. Toronto, ON, Canada, M6M 1Y3
L I G H T I N G
F U R N I T U R E
P A T I O
DESIGN
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NAVIGATING A COLOURFUL WORLD
Colour affects our moods and buying habits, but colour trends change yearly BY JULIE GEDEON
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Deneb Ultra Violet, available at www.lightcolorlive.com
DESIGN TORONTO TRENDS 2018
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The Pantone 2018 colour of the year: “Ultra Violet”
WE ALL HAVE OUR FAVOURITE COLOURS, but how do they affect our moods? Marie-Chantal Milette has some answers. She knows that colour taps deeply into our brains to inspire us to feel upbeat or sad, calm or jumpy, wakeful or sleepy, and to influence the way we behave. Milette, the founder/owner of the Montreal-area Kryptonie The Color Agency, is among fewer than 100 colour experts worldwide, according to fellow colour expert Jean-Gabriel Causse, the author of L’étonnant pouvoir des couleurs. Milette claimed her rightful place on this stage by predicting a Pantone colour of the year. She confidently announced before anyone else that “Radiant Orchid” – a blend of fuchsia, purple and pink - would be Pantone’s colour of 2014.
“I analyzed the colours that were new but not yet trending at events that the media extensively covered in 2013, including the colour that would be called ‘Radiant Orchid,’ which was featured in Pantone’s spring-summer trend report,” she says. “The Duchess of Cambridge wore a radiant-orchid dress when she first stepped outside with the newly born Prince George; the Ravens who have a similar shade in their uniforms won the Super Bowl; former President Barack Obama’s oldest daughter, Malia, wore a radiant-orchid coat for his inauguration; while his wife, Michelle, had gloves, and singer Kelly Clarkson a scarf. Ford also came out with a radiant-orchid Mustang, and the upswing in the economy called for a crazier colour.” •
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DESIGN
Milette’s fascination with colours began in childhood when her DIY father took her to hardware stores. “Bored, I started examining the paint-chips and their names,” she recalls. “When I realized people were paid for naming colours, that’s what I wanted to do.” Her father being a financial planner, and her mother an accountant, worried about her artistic bent. “Dad arranged for me to visit the Ogilvy & Mather agency when I was 12 and I quite liked it,” she says. “So, I studied design and marketing at CEGEP.” She learned all the basics and became skilled with the latest software but didn’t believe she had gained the expertise to stand out. “I asked Philippe Meunier, a founder of the Sid Lee Agency, to list the world’s top 10 design schools,” she says. “When I visited the Creative Circus in Atlanta, I was blown away by the innovative atmosphere, but also knew the school would challenge me; only 38 per cent of those registering actually graduated, which I did.”
The vast majority of individuals (92.6 per cent of those surveyed in one study) put the most importance on visual factors when buying products, according to the Seoul International Color Expo secretariat’s research.
The Pantone 2014 colour of the year: “Radiant Orchid”
Ferrari has paid for the exclusive use of its signature red, so the colour’s ‘recipe’ was removed from the Pantone catalogue and can’t be copied by others. Tiffany & Co. trademarked its robin’segg-blue colour to prevent it from being used by other jewelers for gift packaging.
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The Pantone 2017 colour of the year, “Greenery,” was used for the Tiffany Damask Chair by Haute House, sold through Neiman Marcus
DESIGN TORONTO TRENDS 2018
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Sgraffito II - Homage to Hiroshige by Michael Lentz, available at saatchiart.com
AJA by Justina Blakeney, available at Hygge and West
Her education landed her at a Montreal agency, but her desire to determine the best colours for people and their businesses persisted. “I was 23 when I started Kryptonie,” she says. Her colour agency helps businesses – everything from spas to restaurant chains – to choose the best colours for their environments. She read everything possible about colour but still wanted recognized expertise. So off she went to Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, to learn from Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the renowned Pantone Color Institute. Pantone Inc. has established global colour standardization with the coded fabric, plastic and print swatches within its Pantone Matching System. It assures that a company’s logo or product appears in the identical tone worldwide.
Milette is now called upon to determine the best colours for brands or spaces. When it comes to decor, she cautions against designing exclusively with favourite colours. “Look for a balance that ref lects your personality but also creates the mood you desire for each space,” she explains. “I love yellow, but I’m already hyper, so a bright yellow would push me over the edge.” Her place features neutral tones with pastel accents. Pastels create a relaxing effect but differ, too. Pink fosters calmness, while blue improves focus. Colour affects each of the sexes uniquely, too. Grey office cubicles work for men but often make women sad, even depressed, according to a University of Texas study. The same research established that men find it difficult to concentrate in orange or purple settings but many women find them inspiring. •
Photo by Valérie Milette
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DESIGN
Watercolours – Watercolour Tiles, available at www.newmore.com
While bright tones can energize lethargic individuals, too much of any colour is ill-advised. An intense red in a bedroom may spark a couple’s love life, but isn’t recommended for anyone with sleep issues. “You need to determine the most pressing issue … or have two bedrooms,” Milette says, laughing. “People who favour red already tend be passionate and intense. And red causes everyone’s heart to beat faster - even people who are colour-blind - because it has the longest electromagnetic wavelength of any colour, and it stimulates the brain to release hormones.” Yellow, orange and red stimulate appetite, so they’re good kitchen accents for finicky eaters but might not be the wisest choice for those who already love eating.
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“Greenery” (15-0343) was Pantone’s colour of 2017 and it lingers as people seek to reconnect with nature. “We’re on technology devices so much that we’re seeking to bring the outdoors into our homes,” Milette says. “Green can lower our blood pressure but it depends on the shade: it has the largest number of shades visible to the human eye so while lime green inspires energetic creativity, a deep emerald or forest green has an earthy, grounding effect.” Ultra Violet (18-3838), Pantone’s colour of the year for 2018, may reflect a subconscious desire to connect with our spiritual realm. The intense purple is often associated with a greater – even divine – power with its use in various religious ornamentation, as well as
representing the third-eye or “ajna” chakra, characterized by Eastern religions as one of the human body’s seven energy centres. “It makes sense that many of us are seeking to connect with a higher spiritual level during these very technologically dominated and somewhat unstable times,” Milette says. Clues to this year’s colour included the unexpected death of singer/guitarist Prince, whose favourite colour was the deep shade of purple, and Hillary Clinton wearing it to encourage a uniting of the Republican red and Democratic blue after her presidential defeat. “We also saw it on fashion runways and there was a Porsche and popular Jeep Wrangler featured in Ultra Violet last year,” Milette adds.
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The colour of the year is meant to tantalize people, encouraging them to enter a showroom. But once inside, most end up choosing grey for their sofa instead of the brighter new selection, according to colour expert Marie-Chantal Milette.
Cambridge sofa, available at Restoration Hardware
The Prince Estate and Pantone Color Institute unveiled a standardized purple hue last year, inspired by the late singer/songwriter’s custom-made Yamaha purple piano. The colour is respectfully identified in the Pantone Matching System by Prince’s “Love Symbol #2.”
Dearly Beloved We Are Gathered Here Today To Get Through This Thing Called Life by Angie Jones, available at saatchiart.com
She reminds us that every type of colour has influence. For instance, wine experts in a recent study ranked the same wines higher when they were served under red or blue lighting rather than green or yellow, according to research at the Institute of Psychology at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany. A good tip for wine cellars. “Earthy tones are associated with longevity, which is why darker brown is sought in finer furniture,” Milette adds. The white in many of our kitchens is to give our brains a reprieve from the day’s information overload, she says. Of the 23,000 to 35,000 decisions that adults make daily, according to psychologist Daniel Kahneman, author of the best-selling Thinking Fast and Slow, the first is often what to wear, which involves a conscious or unconscious choice of colour, Milette notes. Children, who make about 3,000 decisions a day, according to Kahneman, prefer brighter and lighter shades, Milette learned at the Pantone Color Institute. “When asked to rename orange in one study, many youngsters called it ‘awesome,’ ” she says. “A Schauss Pink (think bubble gum) can help to calm a child, and navy blue helps with focus, but a child should be able to pick out the colours for his or her room with a little parental guidance so they ref lect the youngster’s personality within reason, stimulate creativity and, most importantly, make the child happy.” •
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LANDSCAPE
TIMELESS STYLE, IMMEDIATE IMPACT Scale and design combine to make the most of a Bridle Path-area property BY PHILLIPA RISPIN PHOTOGRAPHY: JEFF MCNEILL
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“IT’S A STORY OF SCALE, but still a story of design,” says landscape architect Janet Rosenberg of this property in the Bridle Path neighbourhood. Shaped like an uneven trapezoid, the two-acre property has a large single-storey family home and expansive grounds. Rosenberg, the founding principal of Janet Rosenberg & Studio, describes the property when she first saw it as characterized by a traditional design aesthetic but “quite old and tired. It didn’t have space that worked for the family. It was very cut up. It’s a beautiful
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corner property and, because of that, you want a really nice sense of flow.” She aimed to give the gardens, and the house they surround, more impact both aesthetically and in terms of daily life. The property is now divided into four distinct spaces: front entry court and side gardens, pool and tennis court, pavilion and parterres, and open lawn. This redesign gives the property “great stature and a sense of entry to it, and seasonality,” says Rosenberg. •
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“You have to design in a timeless way, whether it’s modern or has more traditional components.”
In a landscape dominated by the automobile, many houses are designed so that anyone approaching is first confronted with driveways and garages – hardly a strategy to impose a sense of welcome. Rosenberg’s team, led by senior landscape architect and principal Stefano Giannini, changed that dynamic.
“One of the biggest things we did was we relocated the garage doors,” Rosenberg says. “They had a big garage door, and it cut everything in half.” By moving the garage doors to the side of the building, her team gave the house “a terrace area and a kitchen garden and a beautiful strolling garden. It made the driveway much shorter.
“It’s critical to get proportions right. We always make recommendations on the house.” The now-short front driveway is enclosed by tall beech hedges and circles a large urn of greenery in front of the house, creating a more intimate air. On the house itself, the team redesigned the front porch (which is set off-centre, to the left) with columns and an elegant new door, adding depth and interest to the facade. Two large black vases, one on each side of the door, hold seasonal arrangements. •
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LANDSCAPE
A path of Credit Valley stone pavers leads to the right along the front of the house and around the corner to the back. The back of the house had an existing covered colonnade, and Giannini and team gave it a wide stairway leading to the pool level. The generous pool surround of Algonquin stone has planting beds and plenty of space for lounging. At the back of the pool is a raised seating area featuring another colonnade, which mirrors the one attached to the house and also hides the tennis court from the house. Symmetry and function are combined for an aesthetically pleasing space.
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From one side of the house, a path of Credit Valley stone leads through a series of parterres, planted with crabapple trees and rose bushes. Within this delightful space, it meets a similar walkway from the pool. The path from the house terminates in a semicircle, bordered by high hedges and visible from the house, where sculpture is displayed. Beyond the parterres is an open-sided pavilion, its roof supported by columns and its sides with curtains so that it can be closed in if desired. It’s a luxurious space with generously proportioned furnishings and a retractable television screen. A fireplace ensures that, whether entertaining or enjoying a solitary moment or two, members of the family will be comfortable throughout much of the year. •
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“If you’re designing, you have to think about it as a whole level of timelessness.”
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The fourth distinct space on the property is an open lawn, bordered by lush planting and punctuated by statuary. Rosenberg characterizes it as both an active and a passive space. Within its generous area, perhaps children will happily play tag and adults will enjoy a game of croquet. It will accommodate largescale parties, or the family and visitors can simply stroll or sit and enjoy the expanse of green. The property is a combination of rooms (both figurative and literal), bountiful plantings, space to play, and space to relax. It suits the relative formality of the house design
while not having an overbearing gravitas. As time goes by, its layers and textures and colours will endure. “You have to design in a timeless way, whether it’s modern or has more traditional components,” says Rosenberg. “You have to have a very strong framework. If you’re designing, you have to think about it as a whole level of timelessness. This garden will not get old like the one [the owners] had beforehand. “It has a design aesthetic and understanding of people’s lifestyle, and how the house and the garden are together. The bones of it will always work.” •
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Cold Outside... Warm Inside New in Electric, the Toasty Comfort of Runtal Radiators Can Now Be Enjoyed by All!
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DESIGN
A FEAST FOR THE SENSES Visually pleasing interior design in restaurants aims to connect diners with the people who creatively prepare their meals BY BRENDA O’FARRELL
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CONNECTING CUSTOMERS WITH the creative workings in the kitchen: That is one of the themes in today’s restaurant design. Gone are the days when chefs toiled behind doors that would swing open and closed as the wait staff scurried back and forth, forging a detached link between cook and customer. The modern dining experience is a much more intimate affair. The trendiest restaurants today not only provide their guests with a table in a
highly designed setting, but also offer a spot from which to watch the culinary creations come to life. Being on-trend means immersing guests in the complete dining experience. Let’s take a look at how some of today’s avant-garde eating establishments blend form and function, providing a full menu for all the senses.
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FIGO
Photos: Evan Dion
Figo is a perfect example of the new wave in restaurant design. Located in the heart of Toronto’s downtown core, it offers romantic Italian dining. The 4,200-square-foot establishment was conceived by Toronto’s award-winning Studio Munge. Among its most spectacular features is the graphic archway between the dining area and open kitchen. Made of 4,000 hand-placed tiles, the archway perfectly frames the action in the kitchen, allowing diners to watch as their artisanal dishes are created, as if they were viewing a live stage production.
The ceiling above the dining area at Figo also helps set the tone. Featuring a large custom floral application in light shimmering pastels, the surface above the entire seating area, adds a touch of romance and charm, creating the impression that visitors are dining in a country village in Italy. The cathedral-style wine cabinet in the bar-lounge catches the eye, as well, contributing to the Old-World sophistication that permeates the space, while the curved custom-made glass tables and white marble bar provide a contemporary touch. Figo Toronto 295 Adelaide St. W, Toronto 647-748-3446 www.figotoronto.com
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HOOGAN ET BEAUFORT Hoogan et Beaufort is an upscale restaurant in Montreal’s Rosemont borough. Housed in a building that once served as a train-manufacturing facility in the former CPR Angus Shops, it has 28-foot ceilings and 2,700 square feet of space. It strikes a balance between contemporary and traditional styles, with an industrial vibe. Designed by the Montreal-based APPAREIL Architecture, the restaurant pays homage to its industrial past. In fact, its name, Hoogan et Beaufort, honours the two farmers who originally owned the land that was purchased to create the CPR Angus Shops in the late 1800s. The old wooden beams in the ceiling, along with custom-made refurbished finishings provide an unpretentious feel, while the open-flame kiln-like oven on full display provides an enchanting rustic charm. Hoogan et Beaufort 4095 Molson St., Montreal 514-903-1233 Photos: Felix Michaud
www.hooganetbeaufort.com
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KŌST AT BISHA Kōst is a rooftop restaurant that sits atop the Bisha Hotel in Toronto’s entertainment district. Its use of white Canadian oak gives the entire space a beach-house ambience. Wooden trellises clad the surface of the ceiling, while the use of the light-coloured wood extends to the walls, beams and tables. The look reflects the openness of the high-rise location. The restaurant, designed by Studio Munge, features custom seating, including oak bar stools with apricot-coloured velvet upholstery, woven rattan chairs, and banquettes finished in ivory and orange, while the light oak tables feature interlocking tile insets. The look is light and airy, while the layout allows guests to take in views of the city’s skyline as well as the action behind the bar or in the kitchen, visible just beyond a marble counter in peach, seafoam-green, and cream tones. Kōst 80 Blue Jays Way, 44th Floor, Toronto 437-800-5938
Photos: Maxime Bocken
www.kosttoronto.com
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DESIGN
FOIEGWA The open-kitchen concept is also at the centre of the hip new Montreal restaurant Foiegwa. This self-described “Americanized French diner” takes its name from the American pronunciation of “foie gras.” Designed by the gauleybrothers, the restaurant is located in a former Belle Province fast food outlet at the corner of Atwater Avenue and Notre Dame Street in the city’s St. Henri district. The open kitchen is framed by white tiled walls that are filled with sketches by local artist Marc Tremblay. The framed drawings are of famous Montrealers, much along the same line as those seen in the iconic New York City diner Sardi’s. In addition to the open kitchen, the use of wood and black marble imparts an upscale look. Although used sparingly, the natural wood accents frame the tile walls and coordinate with the tan-coloured banquettes and upholstered stool chairs. Foiegwa 3001 Notre Dame St. W., Montreal 438-387-4252 www.foiegwa.com
Photos: Mathieu Derome
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LE SUPER QUALITÉ Although considered a diner in every sense of the term, Le Super Qualité in Montreal’s Villeray district is on trend with its look that includes a view of the kitchen and the use of wood. Designed by architect David Dworkind, this Indian snack bar draws inspiration for its style from a few sources. The bright-blueand-yellow colour scheme is taken from the palette used on Indian commuter trains. Rough plank cladding in a blue-painted finish is also used along the base of the counters.
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Photos: David Dworkind
Wood is prominently used in the seating area, where the bright colours are balanced by the natural wood tabletops, while stainless-steel countertops and accents, such as custom lighting pendants, match the gleaming surfaces in the open kitchen. Le Super Qualité 1211 Rue Bélanger, Montreal 514-398-0184 www.lesuperqualite.com
Restaurant-goers, it seems, like to be connected with those who create their meals.
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ART
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ART TORONTO TRENDS 2018
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Artist Scott MacKenzie’s depictions of Canada’s spectacular geography inspire strong feelings BY BRENDA O’FARRELL
THE CANADIAN LANDSCAPE: How would you define it? How would you sum up its vastness? Its diversity? Its iconic qualities? Its ruggedness? Its uniqueness? Scott MacKenzie has, in fact, tried. And it is this attempt that has given him a key insight: what defines a Canadian landscape is not simply what is seen, but what we feel when we see it. He knows what he’s talking about. MacKenzie is a Canadian landscape artist whose images embody a sense of understanding. It is this emotional element that gives his interpretations of the Rockies their majesty, the prairies their strength, a stand of poplar trees a sense of safe shelter, and a row of wind turbines along an open ridge the promise of potential. A good painting for MacKenzie is about tapping into the emotional power of what is seen. •
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ART
He’s well acquainted with this effect and believes it’s his mission to capture the rousing sentiments that draw viewers in. “I think what I keep coming back to is the sense of presence from iconic places – places and things that deserve respect when you see them,” MacKenzie says. “I want to give the viewer – and, ultimately, the buyer of the piece – something to come back to, something that commands their attention.”
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And the key to ensuring that there is a sense of reoccurring attraction, he says, is an undercurrent of strength. “I want to portray power,” he says. For this artist, that is the essence of every piece he commits to canvas. If it fails to meet that standard, he refuses to let anyone see it. “If it doesn’t have that sense of presence, I don’t release it,” MacKenzie says. “It has to convey a sense of purpose. It really has to stand out. I don’t want to add average works to the pile that is out there.” •
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“We are so lucky. Every region is lucky to have diverse landscapes all across Canada.”
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ART
He characterizes himself as a representational landscape painter, or as he says: “My work is more figurative in style.” That figurative style is also evident in his renderings of people and animals. However, it is the landscape that holds him in thrall. MacKenzie grew up in northern Ontario, in an area that he describes as having a stark landscape. It is an area that contrasts with the city of Calgary, where he now makes his home. It is no coincidence that many of his works include images of the Rocky Mountains and their picturesque surroundings. “We are so lucky. Every region is lucky to have diverse landscapes all across Canada,” he says, describing what inspires the subjects of his paintings and the reason he gravitates to landscapes. “I try to see what it is trying to tell you,” he says of the views he paints. The 41-year-old married father of two young boys says most of his works in the past 10 years have been rendered in oils. But from an early age, he drew in charcoals and painted with watercolours. “I’ve been drawing since day one,” he explains.
He has little formal art training, but has travelled the world extensively, immersing himself in the work of great artists and artistic trends around the globe. He says his work is also influenced by the print-making style and strong sense of design he observed in Japan. It was there that he realized the power of having one focal point in an image, he says. In Australia, the aboriginal influence, characterized by the use of bold colours and a “basic representational look,” also shaped his approach to painting. •
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ART
“There are no right answers. That is what makes it so great and so challenging.”
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Although his subjects cover a variety of outdoor scenes, he works exclusively in a studio. “I’m fairly methodical. I have a defined process,” MacKenzie says. He often finds himself working on between five and 10 pieces at a time. He produces about 10 to 15 works in a month, but only about two-thirds are actually brought to completion and put out for consumption. “I want my work to be really impactful,” he says. “I want (an image) with power and a sense of presence.” •
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That sense of presence is perhaps what makes his paintings stand out when placed in a well-designed home. But, he admits, it is difficult to predict how a piece will command attention once it’s on a wall. “The hardest thing is for people to visualize how it will affect a room,” he says, explaining that he suggests buyers try a painting in various locations until the appropriate setting is found. The right painting in the right spot combined with the emotional element he believes it must contain will “give you a reason to come back to it,” he says.
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When that happens, he adds, he has achieved his goal. MacKenzie’s work has been showcased in a number of group shows, including at Calgary’s Leighton Gallery and ROAM Gallery along with the Art Vancouver exhibition. He’s a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. He admits that allotting time to promote his art through his website (www.scottmackenzieart.com) requires a disciplined approach.
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Painting, MacKenzie says, “is so open and there is so much you can do. There are no right answers. That is what makes it so great and so challenging.” The best part of the process, he adds, is recreating the feeling that is evoked by a view. But getting it right “is also the biggest challenge.” •
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You choose the view, we’ll build the frame. Designing a beautiful home starts with borrowing beauty from the world around it. Using the surroundings as a color palette. Shop our entire collection at BeautyofBetter.com
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LIFESTYLE
SUMMER: IN ALL ITS SWEETNESS, NOSTALGIA AND INTENSITY This season’s astrology is characterized by three eclipses … oh, and a retrograde planet BY SUSAN KELLY
IF PRESSED TO PICK A SYMBOL of one trend that sums up the astrology of summer 2018, I would select the pineapple. The jaunty motif seems to be everywhere and on everything – from cellphone cases to the white-and-gold ceramic candle I bought at Indigo, to light fixtures, to riotous repeat-pattern wallpaper in every sample book. Why it says summer 2018: The pineapple oozes nostalgic charm and is a traditional symbol of hospitality, two qualities of the summer sign of Cancer. It also has a luxe history as a popular motif with such monarchs as Louis XV and Catherine the Great. What could be more Leo, the regal sign that reigns over August? The pineapple exudes a stolid, sunny cheer and flair for creative reinvention, all of which I think fits the astrological zeitgeist.
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The summer pace is set by three eclipses. They won’t generate the hoopla of last August’s “eclipse of the century,” but they can have long-lasting impact. Eclipses tend to turn up the volume on the natural order of things. It all kicked off with the summer solstice plunging us into the affectionate and loving waters of Cancer. Memories of summers past take on a rosy hue. Home, family and roots are where it’s happening for this sign, and this is a time of reconnecting. Sentiment rules, and so the patio set inherited from Aunt Edna suddenly doesn’t look so shabby. With the first solar eclipse on July 13, it all becomes more intense. Cancer also signifies the foundation upon which we build our lives. This one is particularly potent for transformation, for becoming aligned with that which truly makes us feel alive, happy and content. I suggest hitting the hammock for some productive “me-time” during eclipses. Let your mind drift and see what bobs to the surface of your psyche. As English architect and designer Edwin Heathcote once mused in the Financial Times: “For Sigmund Freud, a dream of a house … symbolises ourselves not only to others but also inside our own heads. So, what exactly is going on inside?” What arises just might be symbolic of deeper change. An urge to upgrade the kitchen, for instance, might mean more self-nurturance is in order. If it’s the living room, you may need a wider social life, and so on.
The sun blazes into the dramatic and expressive sign of Leo on July 23, amplified by a full moon eclipse four days later. It could be a vacation season for the record books as it supercharges the sign’s usual pursuits: romance, recreation, socializing and creative expression. Just don’t take it too far. Changing all the fixtures and faucets from ho-hum brushed nickel to in-your-face shiny yellow gold might feel right now. But how will you feel come fall? If you didn’t fully get your Leo on, you get a second shot around the solar eclipse on August 11. Focus on your special talents, follow that creative urge down the rabbit hole; it just might lead somewhere unexpected and wonderful. Seek the perfect setting in which to shine and gain the applause you so richly deserve. There is a downside to eclipse seasons. They bring a heightened sense of urgency that prompts us to take action — just when the traditional advice is to avoid major moves. Around the time of an eclipse, it’s best to avoid signing a new mortgage or hiring a contractor to revamp the whole house, say. Be doubly cautious this year, because the planet Mercury is retrograde from July 26 to August 18. This busy-bee planet tends to toss a monkey wrench into things related to communications, such as emailed instructions to the decorator or the delivery slip on your drapes. Anyway, summer is meant to be enjoyed. And all in all, the astrological outlook is mainly sunny with trends that, like the pineapple, hold the sweet potential of gifts and richness within.
ARIES MARCH 21 – APRIL 19 Deal with family dramas early on, then make way for a playful and passionate summer season. Seek adventure. Find a new perspective on life.
LEO JULY 23 – AUGUST 22 Retreat to your lair and tune into your spiritual and intuitive side. In August, go and seek your place in the sun. It will pay off in a big way come fall.
SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 21 You’re propelled along a new travel vector, one that will take you far, far away. There’s also some serious inner transformation on tap and a new perspective on life.
TAURUS APRIL 20 – MAY 20 You become a trendsetter now as new forms of self-expression emerge. Follow that getaway impulse at summer’s end.
VIRGO AUGUST 23 – SEPTEMBER 22 Working the barbecue and terrace circuits builds momentum for future success. Summer goes out with a bang, and the one making all the noise is you.
CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22 – JANUARY 19 The eclipses could trigger a need to hold a metaphoric garage sale. Ditching the outmoded makes way for the new. Late summer is optimal for a vacation.
LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 22 Spiff up that public image; a more polished presence will help you move up the ladder. Then get ready to give the social scene a whirl.
AQUARIUS JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 18 July trends favour getting in shape and working both harder and smarter. Expect a few inspired lightning bolts, electrifying your love and creative lives.
GEMINI MAY 21 – JUNE 20 Increase your earning power with the ultimate goal of greater freedom. A creative burst is due; learn new things and exchange ideas. CANCER JUNE 21 – JULY 22 Replace the shrinking-violet decor with what ref lects your vibrant new self-confidence. Increased self-worth soon brings tangible rewards, too.
SCORPIO OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21 Head off the beaten track, literally with a backpack or on a journey of the mind. The eclipses stoke your career, so get ready to see and be seen.
PISCES FEBRUARY 19 – MARCH 20 Early summer is one big party, also optimal for meeting (and/or keeping) your true love. And you’re ready to shed any habits and routines that hold you back.
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EVERYTHING ON THE WISH LIST
A Kawartha-region lakefront home is designed to give its owners all the elements they need and want BY CHERYL CORNACCHIA PHOTOGRAPHY: AMANDA LARGE AND YOUNES BOUNHAR
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THE DESIGN TEAM OF Coryn Kempster and Julia Jamrozik got clear instructions when they were asked to design a modern four-season home on a waterfront property. The couple who owned the property on Stoney Lake, northeast of Lakef ield in the Kawartha Lakes cottage region, and who issued the instructions, were open-minded about the design possibilities but they were steadfast on functional requirements. Lake views were a must, of course. The property was, after all, located on a spectacular point on the lake, in the heart of the Canadian Shield. But there were other things the couple wanted. Visitors with mobility issues had to be able to get into and around the building. The sleeping and living areas inside the cottage had to be separated to ensure privacy and quiet. The building had to be environmentally friendly. The surrounding landscape had to be left as undisturbed as possible. And on top of it all, the finished product had to be fun. The end result, Sky House, as it was named by the owners’ 13-year-old daughter, ticks off all the boxes - and many more. Nestled into the side of a hill on the 1.37-acre property and surrounded by water on three sides, the 3,100-square-foot structure brings new definition to cottage design. It is quirky, contemporary, and technologically state-ofthe-art, outfitted with a raft of energy-efficient design features, such as a series of four vertical skylights oriented to true north for maximum daylight without heat gain, and an equal number of solar panels pointing in the opposite direction to soak up the sun’s energy. The building looks deceptively small for its ample size, and its construction required no blasting of the bedrock or felling of trees. And the best part of all: the couple was pleased that the building will be able to serve their needs as their family grows. •
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A functional open-concept living space was a request of the owners, who wanted to be able to host family and friends comfortably. A banister around a staircase at the far end of the room leads to the cottage’s lower level, where the bedrooms are located.
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“The building had to be generous and flexible to accommodate the small family as well as visiting friends and larger family reunions,” says Julia Jamrozik, the co-designer of the 18-month-long building project, built by Timberline Custom Homes. As a visitor approaches the cottage from the driveway in front of it, the first thing that’s noticeable in the foreground is a long wheelchair-accessible ramp, painted bright turquoise blue, that leads to the front door of the pine-clad cottage. It is just one of the many places where this colour is featured. The owners chose it to bring a sense of fun to their lakeside home and convey a unified yet
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whimsical feel. They also thought it was a cool and calming colour for summer. Coryn Kempster, Jamrozik’s professional partner - and husband - explains the two-storey cottage is really two separate Lego-like building blocks placed one atop the other at a little more than a 90-degree angle, a design he and Jamrozik came up with in order to diminish the overall impact of the building on the landscape. One end of the top block, which contains the living and dining rooms and kitchen, rests on the highest point of the property and touches down in perpendicular fashion onto the roof of the lower block, which contains the bedrooms. •
To maintain the cottage’s simplicity, its walls are finished in strips of white-washed plywood, and the concrete floors are stained charcoal. Turquoise and blue lend a little punch via light fixtures and furnishings.
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Clerestory windows located just below the roofline accentuate the main room’s height and breadth while allowing natural light and fresh air to stream into the large living space. 86
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Warm and cozy is the feel of the cottage’s lower level bedrooms thanks to clear-coated plywood walls. “We wanted our cottage to feel like a cottage, not a suburban home,” says the owner.
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A little whimsy is injected into the decor through colour: canary yellow in the main floor bathroom and hot-pink coat hooks in the vestibule.
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The top block provides for a stunning lake view through an 80-foot-long glass wall of sliding doors. Of the three lower-level bedrooms, the master bedroom is located closest to the lake, at one end of the lower block, providing for even more spectacular water views. What made the project possible was the fact that the lakefront property, where once an old three-season summer cottage stood, had been given the go-ahead for a much larger, eight-bedroom cottage that was never built. The owners of Sky House were able to
use that pre-approval, won from the Ontario Municipal Board by the property’s previous owner. Although their new cottage is substantially smaller than what would have been permitted on the property, it does take advantage of the 53-foot setback accorded by the OMB ruling. Without that ruling, their new cottage would have had to be built way back where the driveway is - certainly not an ideal location for the dream cottage it has turned out to be. •
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‘Sky House’ glows at night surrounded by trees, rock, and lake, the trifecta of Canadian cottage country.
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B10 - 996 Westport Crescent Mississauga, ON
www.royaldecks.ca 855.622.7909
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RETHINKING
RENOVAT IONS These Canadian companies offer environmentally responsible building and renovating BY PHILLIPA RISPIN
Photo: Craig Williams
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Photo: Craig Williams
DESIGN
CHRISTOPHER PHILLIPS HAS A MASTER’S DEGREE in philosophy and foreign aid. He has no driver’s licence and doesn’t own a car; he gets around Toronto by bicycle and public transit. He also has no cell phone. Would you hire this man to renovate your home? If you want to do things in an environmentally friendly way, you’d be smart to do so. Phillips (who, not incidentally, also has a master’s degree in building science from Ryerson University) is passionate about the environment. The philosophy of his company – Greening Homes – is an extension of his personal ethic. He’s not alone in this. In Montreal, Hisham Shakarchi – owner of Rénovert Solutions Inc. – is similarly driven. “I’m from Iraq, where resources are not as abundant,” he
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says. “There you learn to ration things and to appreciate the materials.” For Graeme Huguet, whose company My House Design/Build/Team has been serving Greater Vancouver and the Gulf Islands for more than 20 years, taking the green approach is practically second nature, “just part of who we are and what we do,” he says. “We educate clients to the extent that they want to be educated, but there’s a certain amount we naturally talk about. We guide them through, explain different building methods, and then let them make the choice.” All three companies operate in service to what Phillips calls the five pillars of responsible renovation: responsible waste management, informed selection of materials, efficient design and use of resources,
Renovation begins with demolition and responsible management of the waste stream. On this Greening Homes project, 87 per cent of the project waste was diverted from landfill.
healthy indoor environments, and responsible business practices. A renovation usually starts with some demolition, and managing the waste stream is an important part of the process. Some unwanted elements – kitchen cabinetry, for instance – can be carefully removed and given to such organizations as Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore for re-selling, or to places that rely on
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Photo: Rénovert
DESIGN TORONTO TRENDS 2018
Rénovert Solutions worked on a daycare facility, stripping the interior down to the studs. The purple wall is BASF’s Walltite sprayed-on insulation and air barrier system. Hisham Shakarchi chose it over the traditional layers of vapour barrier and insulation (blown, batts, panels, etc.) because “it seals every nook and cranny,” and because it’s EcoLogo certified and Greenguard Children & Schools certified for indoor air quality, includes recycled plastic, and is applied with a zero ozone-depleting blowing agent.
donations. Huguet’s company, for example, donates items to halfway houses and group homes. “If we can repurpose something, it’s more green than dismantling it,” he says. With his degree in civil engineering from Concordia University in Montreal, Shakarchi is highly attuned to what’s salvageable and what should be recycled. “My approach is more practical and beneficial to the client,” he says. “For example, an old bathtub made of steel can be sold to scrap collectors. The copper in wiring also gets sold.” Much of the demolition debris can go to recycling centres for sorting and reuse; for example, wood from recycling centres is pulped and used to manufacture laminate flooring and MDF. In for med selec tion of mater ia ls is tricky. “Often, when choosing to do a green
renovation, it’s about trade-offs,” Phillips says. “There is no such thing as totally green. There’s usually an emphasis towards something; it could be health, it could be energy-efficiency. For example, someone wants to use reclaimed wood or reclaimed products, which makes a lot of sense from an environmental perspective, but if you have chemical sensitivities, that may not be appropriate, because reclaimed elements may have been exposed to something that could be hazardous or toxic. You could have something that’s sourced sustainably that’s being shipped from China – let’s say bamboo flooring – and it could have formaldehyde in the glue, and you’ve got a high [energy investment] in terms of shipping.” •
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Both Huguet’s and Phillips’s companies have invested in education and expertise to ensure efficient design and use of resources. My House Design/Build/Team is accredited by several organizations such as Built Green Canada, and it’s a National Association of Home Builders Certified Green Professional. Greening Homes belongs to the Ontario Natural Building Coalition and the Canada Green Building Council, among others. There’s plenty of validation of their efforts, including awards. Greening Homes is particularly proud of winning a Best Green Renovation award and a Best Renovation $300,000 to $500,000 award. My House Design/Build/Team has ranked high in Georgie Awards lists over the years, and the company won five 2018 awards, including Best Certified Whole House Renovation and the grand award: Residential Renovator of the Year. Shakarchi’s company is relatively small by comparison and hires only trusted sub-contractors to perform specific jobs. “I’m everything, from being the president to making a great cup of coffee,” Shakarchi jokes. He says that major accreditation programs don’t really serve the purpose of his specific business, but he has various awards and certifications that attest to his expertise: Réno-Maître accreditation from l’Association provinciale des constructeurs d’habitations du Québec (APCHQ), Approved Residential Supplier designation by CAA-Quebec, and City of Montreal suggested contractor for the city’s recently discontinued Residential Adaptation Assistance Program. Shakarchi won the 2015 Bronze Renovation award from the APCHQ for outstanding performance and service.
Eco-conscious strategies apply indoors and out. The kitchen (opposite) of this award-winning home by My House Design/Build/Team features energy-efficient Miele appliances. Outside, the joints of exterior pavers are not mortared, allowing favourable on-site drainage and reducing uncontrolled run-off into municipal storm sewer systems.
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Photos: Reuben Krabbe
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Ensuring a healthy environment could be said to start right in the individual home, and air quality is a major element in this. Avoiding materials (paint, drywall, glue, engineered flooring, carpeting) that off-gas or contain unhealthy substances is an important step. Assuring adequate, not excessive, air exchange is another. Renovators must have the skill to balance energy savings against quality of air. Phillips is particularly proud that the Canadian Green Building Award-winning retrofit home had fewer air changes per hour than a new-build passive house. Huguet considers energy efficiency “number one” in the scheme of things. “The goal is to develop a house that is Net Zero: what it consumes it also puts back,” he says. But clients worry about the cost of being eco-conscious, and might not enthusiastically embrace what initially seems to be more outlay for something so vital. “We have to
educate clients that an energy-efficient house is ultimately a less expensive house to run,” Huguet says. These renovators practise what they preach. To its employees, Greening Homes promotes the use of re-usable coffee cups and lunch containers onsite, and it restricts its projects (there seems to be no lack of them) to Toronto alone so that employees can use bicycles and public transit to get to work. Its offices use 100-per-cent renewable energy supplied by Bullfrog Power. “We also formally track our site waste diversion and provide a great amount of detail on how we achieve our environmental mandate across each project,” says Phillips. “And we provide a yearly bike maintenance and repair stipend during Bike Month, and regularly pay for formalized green building training for the team. I just sent three team members to Passive House training last month.” •
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Greening Homes won two 18th Annual BILD Renovation & Custom Home awards (Best Green Renovation, Best Renovation $300,000 to $500,000) for its work on this 100-year-old Victorian semi-detached home. All millwork, including that in the kitchen (before, right; after, above) was bench-built using 100 per cent FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) woods and sheet goods with no added urea formaldehyde.
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Says Huguet: “My House Design/Build/Team has created a Web-based communication tool for clients and employees so that all documentation is accessible online.” The company owns its energy-efficient office, and the trucks it owns are fuel-efficient, being hybrids or using EcoBoost engines or green diesel. Shakarchi says, “I’m still a little old-school; I like to see pen on paper,” but he has mostly embraced the virtually paperless office concept and is pleased that many of his suppliers have gone digital. He also manages his resources and workflow efficiently. It’s not all roses on the Canadian environmental scene. Although awareness is
growing, eco-responsibility is not the highest item on most clients’ renovation wish lists; rather, Phillips says that many clients come to him because they like the transparent way that Greening Homes does business and the quality of the work. “Environmental desires of clients is a happy by-product of the way we do business,” he says. “Really committed individuals willing to pay to make things deep green are few and far between.” Shakarchi takes a slightly more optimistic view. He finds that clients often want to go green in specific areas rather than in every aspect but, as he says, “These baby steps make a big difference.” •
Photos: Craig Williams
This house had no insulation when it was built a century ago. Greening Homes insulated it to R20 below grade and R24 on the first floor. The drywall has 98 per cent recycled content, the flooring is FSC white oak installed using zero VOC (volatile organic compound) glue, and the paint likewise is zero VOC.
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REAL ESTATE
THE GREENING OF HOME A Montreal-area real estate broker offers an eco-conscious approach to buying and selling houses BY PHILLIPA RISPIN
JE NNIF E R LY NN WA L K E R C A L L S HE R S E L F A N “ECO-REALTOR.” This Montreal real estate broker says she’s interested in “anything and everything to do with green (environmentally sound) real estate, homes, and lifestyles. I help people buy and sell homes with knowledge of the environment and the health of their families.” While Walker doesn’t have a specific certification in green real estate brokerage, she adds that she has integrated ecological principles into all of her work as an accredited broker. “It’s part of me. I’ve been doing it for 15 years as a broker.” Her greenness starts with her own business. “You get bare bones with me,” she says, citing such practices as giving clients materials that are printed on both sides and are not encased in a plastic binder. She recycles whatever she can, and she runs an office that is close to paperless. “Now everything’s stored in the cloud,” she says. When she’s with potential homebuyers, even for the first time, she’s proactive about getting the message across. “I’m always giving buyers options,” she says. “When we’re looking at houses, I immediately point things out that are green or not.”
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If buyers want to renovate, Walker advises them on what to buy, where to buy it, and how to discard or recycle old materials, and she recommends eco-conscious contractors. She is quick to emphasize that a green home is not necessarily more expensive than other homes. For instance, she says, building or renovating with local timber products saves on the cost of transporting materials. Sometimes, health is an overwhelming concern for buyers. Walker went to great lengths to find a home for a client with a chemical sensitivity disorder. She called ahead to the sellers to ensure that there was nothing, such as potpourri, giving off a scent. She advised the sellers not to clean the
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house or do laundry less than a few days before the potential buyer’s visit. She ensured that the house did not have vinyl siding that might off-gas; that it hadn’t been renovated recently (relatively fresh glue and paint could still be off-gassing); that it didn’t have a basement (basements tend to have mould); that it was a certain distance away from airports and train tracks (sources of air pollution), golf courses (often with chemically treated grass and plants), bodies of water (which might harbour harmful organisms). “I eventually found a place way up north that was built as green as could be,” she says. “But even after they moved in, they discovered that the pine framing was still
off-gassing natural substances and it had to be removed.” The lengths that Walker went to are unusual, but they’re indicative of what elements she considers in promoting eco-consciousness to home buyers and sellers. And that consciousness is spreading: She’s starting to get more queries from such professionals as architects, designers, and engineers. “I was called once to sell a green home in a Montreal suburb. But most of the buyers didn’t care or were oblivious to the fact,” she says with a laugh. That obliviousness may be about to change. •
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905 335 0808
DESIGN • SUPPLY • INSTALL
1515 North Service Rd., Unit A Burlington, ON L7P 0A2 www.conceptkandb.com
DESIGN
THE PLACE WHERE EVERYONE HANGS OUT A new home in The Beaches district of Toronto is the go-to place for the neighbourhood children BY BRENDA O’FARRELL PHOTOGRAPHY: VALERIE WILCOX STYLING: HEATHER LEWIS
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IF YOU GREW UP IN A NEIGHBOURHOOD where there were a lot of children, you may remember a house where everyone would hang out. You didn’t give it much thought. It was just the way it was. Everyone always ended up there. It was simply the place where it felt good to be. If you think back, you can remember all the good times you had there. But what was it about that house? What was it about the family who lived there? Whatever it was, that is what the owners of a small home in The Beaches area wanted when they decided to build their dream home. They had bought the property eight years before and always had a plan to build an extension. But when the time came, and their family was growing, they decided to go big. They didn’t add on. They tore down and went back to the drawing board.
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“When people come over, I want them to feel good; to have that warm feeling,” says the co-owner and mother of three. So it was with that intangible and notquite-defined aim in mind that the couple set out to build what they envisioned as the home they had always wanted. One of the first people they turned to was Joe Sexton, the owner of Sexton Works, a home builder and renovation expert. “They wanted their dream home and they got it,” Sexton states simply. “Everyone wants to go to (their) place to sit on the front porch. That is what they wanted and that is what
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they got. Making your dreams come true is possible. They were looking for a great place for their kids to grow up in.” But they got more than just the right vibe. They also got a great look – a transitional-style home with a few eclectic twists that reflect the family’s personality. “It represents who they are,” explains Rania Ismail-Cherry, designer and owner of Fohr Design Studio, who planned the interior of the new home. “It’s definitely transitional with a huge play on old and new. It has a funky eclectic vibe, but more polished.” •
The colour blue plays a major role in the house, including in the living room, where classic furniture is mixed with contemporary pieces.
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The backsplash in the kitchen features white subway tiles with a crackled glazed finish; it extends up to the ceiling, including the bulkhead. The custom-made vinyl-covered stools at the island have a distressed leather look.
“She’s bubbly, fun,” Ismail-Cherry continues, referring to the homeowner. “And her kids are the same way. They have their own flavour.” And that flavour is exhibited throughout the house in how they used bold colours, mixed antiques with modern pieces, and created a few spectacular surprises. The dining room is a perfect example of unexpected gems. At first glance, the space appears to be oval in shape. But it’s not. It’s an illusion created by the coffered ceiling that features a circular design directly above a round table. “That’s a ‘wow’ room for sure,” says Sexton. “It turns your head.” •
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The quartzite counter on the island has a two-inch edge, giving it a “much more substantial” look, according to designer Rania Ismail-Cherry.
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The circular coffered ceiling in the dining room helps create the illusion of an oval space. The designer describes the wallpaper as “dramatic in terms of pattern, but neutral in terms of palette.”
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The design of the space, including the dramatic patterned wallpaper, “really took the room to another level,” Ismail-Cherry says. “It gave it a whole other dimension.” And the gold-coloured starburst pendant above the table adds the sparkle. The royal blue chairs were inspired by the owners’ taste. The couple had six of the chairs in their previous home. Ismail-Cherry had them reupholstered in a colourful fabric to go along with the blue theme that is seen throughout most of the house, and she had four more chairs custom-built to match.
A dramatic use of colour sets the tone in the main-floor powder room.
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The bold, dark feature wall in the son’s bedroom is brightened by a light fixture that bears his initials.
Ismail-Cherry’s favourite feature of the house is a unique glass and metal panel in the kitchen. Reaching to the ceiling from the top of a knee wall at the outer limit of the room, the panel plays both an aesthetic and functional role. The homeowner, who has strong traditional tendencies, wanted a separate kitchen, Ismail-Cherry says. That would have disrupted the flow of the layout of the home. “So we persuaded her to do this metal-glass partition. You can still see through it and it lets the light in. It’s a really awesome feature of the house.” •
Flamboyant flamingos hang out in the ensuite bathroom.
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A porcelain tile with a matte finish in the main entrance gives the floor a natural stone look, while the chevron pattern adds a contemporary twist.
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A bold use of colour dominates the living room, where the panelled walls are finished in the almost-black Benjamin Moore colour known as ‘Soot.’
As for the homeowner, her favourite space is the living room, also known as the music room. The panelled walls are painted a dramatic almost-black: a Benjamin Moore colour known as ‘Soot.’ The walls feature framed posters of concerts and events the couple have attended over the years. The furniture consists of a mix: a contemporary velvet blue sofa with classic vintage wood-framed upholstered armchairs. Also on display in the room is the old saxophone and clarinet, which once belonged to the owner’s father. “It’s not your typical formal living room,” the homeowner says. “It’s unexpected. I don’t want to be like everyone else. I try not to be, anyway. That is why I went with a dark living room.” Every room is different, yet the combination is harmonious. The home embraces old and new, traditional and edgy. No wonder everyone wants to hang out there. •
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TRAVEL
THE GLORY AND GREATNESS OF GREECE
A vacation in Athens and Santorini offers everything from history and culture to sun and sand BY LA CARMINA
GREECE IS A SUMMER TRAVEL DESTINATION that lives up to its postcard-perfect reputation. Picture this: crumbling white ruins, blue churches, and sunsets over the Aegean Sea. There’s a laid-back timelessness here that is certain to charm every type of traveller. If you visit both Athens and Santorini, you’ll be able to experience everything that makes Greece an enduring favourite. The myths come alive in the capital city, while the island is all about beach living: think sunset sails and patio dining. •
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TRAVEL
Economics are currently in the traveller’s favour. Prices are low compared with the rest of Europe, so you get excellent value, particularly at luxury hotels and restaurants. Although Greece is still grappling with a financial crisis, vacationers aren’t affected, and all banks and ATMs are fully operational. Athens is the perfect starting point for a cultural odyssey. Named for Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, this sprawling city has been inhabited for 5,000 years. No matter where you stroll, you’ll stumble upon impressive ruins from past civilizations. Howe ve r, At h e n s a l s o h a s a h ip ster side. The city has become a hotbed for artists who hang out in coffee shops, cocktail bars, and galleries with live DJs. Every traveller should visit the Acropolis, the icon of Athens. To avoid the crowds, arrive as early as possible at the foot of Acropolis Hill, where you can purchase the $30 entrance ticket. Wear comfortable shoes, as there are about 100 stone steps to climb. At the top, I wandered around temples dating back to the Golden Age of Athens (460– 430 BCE). My favourite was the Erechtheion, with its “Porch of the Caryatids” – six columns carved like Greek maidens, balancing a roof on their heads.
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The star of the show is the Parthenon, the white-pilla red sy mbol of Wester n democracy. Despite damage throughout t he c e nt u r ie s , t he s e D or ic c olu m n s stand strong. I felt in awe, standing beneath this wonder of classical architecture. The Acropolis Museum, which opened in 2009, is also worth a visit. The collection has artefacts from the Bronze Age to the Roman Empire and beyond. The top floor re-creates the frieze of the Parthenon. At sunset, it lights up with a 360-degree view of the Acropolis and mountains. •
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Athens’s contemporary street art is equally inspiring. I joined an Urban Adventures walking tour that took me to the city’s hippest neighbourhoods, including Exarchia, Plaka, Monastiraki and Gazi. These run-down corners have been rejuvenated with colourful murals, some with socio-political themes. Taking a cue from locals, I ate Greek food in cozy tavernas. My favourite was Seychelles, a home-style restaurant in the formerly industrial neighbourhood of Metaxourgeio. The grilled sardines with lemon, sea bass, and cabbage dolmades (rice and herb-filled wraps) were the best I’ve ever tried. I washed the meal down with ouzo (anise-flavoured liqueur) and orange cake (juicy layers of filo and Greek honey).
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Time to f ly one hour to Santorini, an island in the Aegean devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BCE. This is the place to relax under the sun. The islanders traditionally lived in cave homes, so why not stay in a modern version overlooking turquoise waters? I booked a vacation rental through Blue Villas Collection, which has more than 100 listings on the island. I settled into a luxurious white villa with a private pool and patio, and enjoyed my hand-delivered breakfast outdoors. When most people think of Santorini, they imagine the village of Oia, with its layers of pastel homes topped by an old sea windmill. Come in the afternoon to browse shops and meander through the cliff pathways. Then, find a quiet perch to watch the radiant sunset over the water. •
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The other main village, Fira, has equally dramatic viewpoints. Hike the Karavolades Stairs down the caldera; if the 588 steps are too daunting, you can ride the cable car. Fira also has some of the best dining options. Every morning, I bought a warm spanakopita (spinach feta pastry) from Svoronos Bakery. For dinner, try Tsipouradiko’s grilled fish and risotto, paired with tsipouro liquor. Another beautiful way to see Santorini is by boat. I took a day-trip on Sunset Oia’s catamaran, which sailed to rust-coloured Akrotiri Beach and other hidden coves. The passengers stopped to swim, then feasted on Greek barbecue while watching the sun dip into the sea.
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Don’t leave Santorini without a day at the beaches. Kamari is famous for its black pebbled sand and dark waves. My favourite was Perissa, with its casual beach bar and dramatic view of Mesa Vouno. This season, take a cue from Greek gods and goddesses and let the wine, festivities, and culture flow. There’s plenty to enjoy in Athens and Santorini, regardless of your travel style. Perhaps the philosopher Euripides put it best: “Experiences, travel, these are an education in themselves.” •
IF YOU GO: Getting There: Montreal and Toronto have direct routes to Athens on Air Canada and Air Transat, with a flight time of 9.5 hours. Vancouver departures must make at least one connection, which could be an opportunity to stop over in Paris, Amsterdam, London or Zurich. All ticket prices are $900-$1,300 CDN. In the summer, travellers can book a ferry ride of between five and eight hours from Athens to Santorini, for $30-$110 CDN. There are also many domestic flights to Santorini that take less than an hour, and cost between $70 and $200 for a round trip. Ground Travel: The easiest way to get around Athens is by Uber. Santorini does not have Uber, but hotels usually offer pickups for guests. To reach the island’s major sites, take the regularly scheduled buses for about $2.50 per ride. Accommodation: A central, four-star hotel in Athens costs about $150 CDN per night. A private ocean-front villa in Santorini begins at $575 CDN per night.
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DIAL UP THE STYLE WITH TILE Today’s tile trends: metallic, three-dimensional, stone-like and oversized
Photo courtesy of Groupe Norfab
BY SUSAN KELLY
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Photo courtesy of Canaroma
DESIGN TORONTO TRENDS 2018
NEW TILE CAN INSTANTLY ELEVATE the look of a kitchen, bathroom or entryway. Yet it’s not a feature that homeowners want to update every year. Will the trend that is red-hot now keep its sizzle down the line? We asked some tile experts across Canada for their picks of the looks that will carry us into 2019 and beyond. When it comes to trends, tile insiders have a two-year jump on the rest of us, says Edward Saunders, international buyer at X-Tile, which
has three showroom locations in Ontario. “Most of us in the industry regularly attend big trade shows in the U.S. and Europe,” he says. “What we see there takes time to catch on here.” Saunders sees a trend toward reinventing classic looks with colour, texture or shine. A tried-and-true choice, white or grey porcelain subway tiles, for instance, takes on new punch if the familiar rectangle shape has a pronounced bevelled 3D finish. •
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Photo courtesy of X-Tile
Sometimes, a trend will catch on faster than anticipated. Last year, X-Tile’s designers used digital printing on porcelain to create a wall mural depicting a bank of white rocks in front of a tranquil turquoise sea. Originally available by custom order only, the look caught on so quickly that now the stores keep it in stock. Part of the appeal, Saunders says, is that it is equally striking on a feature wall or tucked in a nook. While texture is important in tiles now, another finish is coming on strong, according to Patricia Ee, sales and marketing director for Canaroma Bath & Tile in Woodbridge,
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Ontario. Her team is carving out more showroom space for tiles with metallic effects. “It’s a huge trend now, especially when combined with the 3D look,” she says. The most dramatic example features 13-by-40-inch tiles that, when applied, create a seamless, undulating gold or silver mirrored surface. Made of porcelain, these tiles look like hammered metal and liquid mercury. It’s a futuristic effect that works well in contemporary settings, she says. Most homeowners will apply them judiciously, perhaps as a wall feature, but the tiles could be used in the shower as well.
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Photo courtesy of Canaroma
If the mirror effect is too much for you, there are other metal finishes to choose from now. Also made of porcelain, they’re tiles that boast the easy upkeep of that material with the luxe look of real metal. Some tiles emulate blocks of gold, silver or bronze. Others take a trendy shade such as black, taupe or grey and add a slightly metallic sheen. “And mixing metallic tiles with natural stone or glass tiles can create very luxe and sophisticated effects,” Ee says. An old standby, mosaic tile, takes on new design impact with a metallic finish, says Claude Béland, representative for Groupe Nord-Fab, which has offices across Quebec. “When you add some sophisticated geometry, like a herringbone pattern, and a trendy shade like black, then you really have something,” he says. Patterned tiles of all kinds, from Moroccan fish scale to hexagonal, are a popular look now, and they’re often oversized. •
Photo courtesy of Canaroma
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But Claude Béland likes the look of micro herringbone mosaic tiles, such as the Gravity Arrow tiles from Porcelanosa, used to great effect by designers such as the late Iranian architect Zaha Hadid. The herringbone differs from the pattern of seasons past in that it has a broken zigzag design that looks asymmetrical and is linear. And thanks to advances in technology, tiles that emulate hardwoods are becoming an even bigger trend. It’s almost impossible to tell the difference between the real thing and the porcelain imitation, even after touching it, he says. Popular finishes include walnut or weathered driftwood-like grey stain. Most often used in planks on floors, smaller tile shapes are available, including hexagonal mosaics. “The play of small against large 11-by-72-inch planks can be very interesting,” Béland says.
Photo courtesy of Groupe Norfab
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Photo courtesy of Canaroma
DESIGN TORONTO TRENDS 2018
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Photo courtesy of X-Tile
Colourful interiors are making a comeback, and tiles are following suit, says Alvin Luke, sales representative at Fontile Kitchen & Bath in Vancouver. “If you’re covering a wall or floor with them, you’ll probably still play it safe with neutral shades of grey, taupe or white,” he says. “But now, the more adventuresome are also using colour and in a bold way.” This could mean an accent wall or insert in a choice off the colour wheel. Any shade of blue, from navy to robin’s egg, is strongly on-trend, especially shades of aqua. It’s an approach that is very forward but also takes inspiration from the past, Luke says. Some homeowners, he says, will want to cover their bathroom walls or kitchen backsplashes in porcelain tiles rendered in pale pastel shades, such as pink, blue and lavender — something not seen since the 1970s. “Back and trending also are tiles that are six or eight inches square,” he says. Glazed terra cotta square tiles are popular again for their organic appeal. •
Photo courtesy of Fontile
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Photo courtesy of Ciot
Every expert we spoke to for this article named oversized or “XL” porcelain slabs as a noteworthy trend. “It’s just starting here in North America,” says Scott McDonald, sales manager at Julian Tile in Burnaby, B.C., “but growing quickly.” The most popular are those that mimic natural stone, especially marble. Some of the newest resemble concrete with a choice of textures, ideal for contemporary or industrial looks. Bonus: they are more durable and require less maintenance than the real thing. They come in four-by-eight or five-by-10-foot slabs, ideal for creating not only feature walls but also backsplashes and countertops without seams.
Photo courtesy of Canaroma
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Photo courtesy of Julian Tile
Photo courtesy of Coit
The latest innovation is XL slabs made of glass. They come in a variety of on-trend colours and can also be found with metallic effects or patterns. “One version features metal foils or textiles inserted between glass slabs,” McDonald says. “The effects are very subtle yet striking.” Besides the bathroom or kitchen, they can also be used on feature walls or fireplace surrounds. No matter where you live in Canada or how short the summer, tiles are migrating outdoors as well, says Marie-Claude Fréchette,
Photo courtesy of Coit
Photo courtesy of Julian Tile
marketing manager at Ciot, which has locations across Quebec and Ontario. Consider, for instance, marble, either the real thing or in a porcelain lookalike; it continues to be popular for kitchen counters, islands and backsplashes. “So much so, homeowners are carrying the look to the outdoor kitchen as well,” she says. The marble-look porcelain slabs are ideal for crafting luxe outdoor counters. And unlike real marble —or granite or limestone, if that’s the preferred look — porcelain is heat- and stain-resistant.
No matter how small the outdoor space, urban condo dwellers can add a distinctive touch to the flooring with tiles. Porcelain stoneware tiles are among the popular choices here. Homeowners with larger patios or decks may also opt to cover them with highly durable and low-maintenance porcelain tiles. “It’s all about a sophisticated look and seamless flow from the indoor living area to the outer,” Fréchette says. “It says a lot about how important outdoor living spaces are to us now.” •
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DESIGN VANCOUVER KITCHENS 2017
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INTERIOR | EXTERIOR | KITCHENS | BATHROOMS | FULL HOME ARCHITECTURE | DESIGN
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architecture Yorkville Village | Toronto, 87 Avenue Road | 416 . 922 . 6620 | www.yorkvilledesigncentre.ca
DESIGN
LOUNGING WITH A FINE VINTAGE Wine lounges are the latest trend among oenophiles who love to taste wine in a beautiful dedicated space BY BRENDA O’FARRELL
EXQUISITE STYLE ALWAYS CATCHES THE EYE, while striking sophistication never goes unnoticed. When the two are combined, it’s a powerful combination. But what if an element of pure pleasure were added? The result would be the recipe that describes one of the latest trends in haute home design: the wine lounge. A nd cou nt on g ue s t s b ei ng oh s o impressed. The wine lounge is more than a wine cellar. It’s a space that extends an invitation to linger and relax within its perfectly appointed confines that showcases the best in Bordeaux and the kinship of Chianti. Unlike a tasting bar, the wine lounge is a blend of high-end restaurant style transported and re-imagined for the avant-garde home-hosting experience. “A wine lounge is very sophisticated and it allows the personality of the homeowner to shine through,” says Fiona Taylor, a wine cellar designer with Papro Wine Cellars & Consulting of Toronto. “It’s not like any other room in your home. It serves a special purpose. It’s not just for the rich and famous, but it does have a cachet to it.”
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Wine lounges are used mostly to entertain after dinner, Taylor says. Owners also like to make it a stop while giving guests a tour of their home. It’s where the tour is designed to end, where hosts and guests linger, share a glass of wine, and relax. It’s a unique room that makes a statement. “I think it says that you certainly have an appreciation for something you love,” Taylor says. The range, style and size of wine lounges can be as varied as the budget and the homeowner’s taste and passion for wine. The lounge is a space within, or adjacent to, the wine cellar that is outside the temperature-controlled space, Taylor says. “It can be as simple as a small tasting table for two people, an intimate conversation arrangement with lounge chairs, or a sophisticated wine-bar environment with customized highend features and focal points to accommodate and entertain large groups,” she says. “It can be a place to entertain guests or a quiet retreat at the end of a busy day or a busy week.” With close to 30 years in the design and construction business, Papro has spent the past decade specializing in wine cellars and lounges, putting them on the leading edge of this upscale trend. Taylor says most of her clients have been thinking of a wine cellar or lounge for some time, and they turn to Papro for the company’s expertise – for everything from room
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and wine-racking designs to cooling systems, lighting, and glass finishes. Her clients range “from people who don’t know that much about wine to fine-wine connoisseurs.” The first step she takes with each client is to invite them to the Papro showroom “to see the possibilities.” From there, the design phase begins. She recently completed a wine lounge project in a 17-by-14-foot space that included a glass entrance wall, a two-foot-deep floorto-ceiling temperature-controlled storage space that traced the outline of the three
other perimeter walls containing “well over a 1,000 bottles,” and a central lounge area that featured four club chairs around a table with a spectacular chandelier overhead. “It enhances your home,” Taylor says. “It definitely adds value.” •
Papro Wine Cellars & Consulting 1131A Leslie St., Suite 404, North York 416-264-2229 www.paprowinecellars.ca
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CHILD’S P LAY With inspiration and input from her children, designer Alyssa Terpstra creates beautiful rooms for her family BY SARAH B. HOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: JOEL HORDYK AND COURTNEY HORDYK STYLING: ALYSSA TERPSTRA
WHERE DO DESIGNERS LOOK for inspiration when reimagining their own homes? Alyssa Terpstra of Coco & Jack (a company she owns with her husband Steve Terpstra) didn’t have to look further than the couple’s three children. The family’s pretty house in Ancaster had no grave flaws when they moved in almost two years ago, but “it’s a war home, so it’s very basic,” Alyssa says. The couple added more generous moldings and white oak floors but made few structural changes. “I love classic design,” she says. “We kept it light and bright and made it a little bit more up-to-date, but with a casual and comfortable feel.” •
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Designer Alyssa Terpstra liked the Dinora wood coffee table from The Mine because it has two levels. The unique mantelpiece is her own design; the shiplap backing for the built-in shelving units adds a relaxed feel.
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Four rooms were redone over the course of two years for the One Room Challenge, a twice-yearly online showcase of room makeovers by sponsored and guest designers. The living-room layout boldly challenges the idea that exact symmetry is to be avoided. The two halves of the space are almost identical: a round mirror is centred over the fireplace and flanked by a pair of matching shelf units. A simple rectangular coffee table inhabits the middle of the room; a pair of grey armchairs faces a sofa. •
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However, a lively arrangement of decorative touches — basketry, ceramics, artwork and textiles — breaks up the strict regularity. The plump white pillows on the chairs and sofa echo the colours and natural textures found in the other elements of the room. A focal point is a bowl that was custom-painted for the space by Boston ceramist Jill Rosenwald. •
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Upstairs, the girls’ room, with windows on two walls, glows with a delicate light. “They were both born in the spring, so that’s why I wanted to go with the florals,” Alyssa says, but flowery elements are limited to a few key touches, such as Caitlin Wilson’s cheerful Joie des Fleurs cushions, inspired by flower markets in the south of France. Other springlike details include the humorous Emily + Meritt Bunny table lamp from Pottery Barn Kids, and Anthropologie’s All Ears knobs on the closet doors.
“It was really hard to find something that would go under the window,” says Alyssa, so the storage unit (top right) was custom-built by husband Steve. A rocking horse from RH Baby and Child has antique-style charm (bottom left).
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By contrast, the boy’s bedroom is a study in elegant neutrals. Furniture choices were limited by the shape and size of the space, says Alyssa, “but I do love the character that an angled ceiling adds.” Prints of a catcher’s mask and baseball reflect his love of sports, while such items as the elegant adjustable leather barrel stool from RH Teen are distinctly designed to grow up with. •
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The children had the strongest say in designing their whimsical basement playroom, where the old linoleum was replaced with a unique carpet: Karastan’s Savanna Scenes Ashen Antelope pattern in brash stripes stippled with pale spots. “The kids loved that pattern, and I loved the idea that it would be really forgiving with spills and dirt,” she says. A play table for drawing, a miniature workroom, and a series of hooks for dress-up costumes let the children indulge in creative play, while an irresistible reading nook allows for comfy quiet moments in which to curl up with cushions.
Alyssa’s eldest daughter requested the sliding library ladder (top left). Simple black wall hooks from Emtek and a lightweight taupe faux-leather storage ottoman from HomePop turn an alcove into a costume cupboard (top right).
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When her son and daughter got to choose the wallpaper for their own special hidden cupboards, they chose Farrow and Ball’s tree-themed Hornbeam pattern in two different colourways. (“Blue and pink: very typical!” says Alyssa.)
“One thing they were really excited about was hidden rooms,” says Alyssa. Two secret closets, lined with Farrow and Ball wallpaper chosen by the children, f lank the reading niche. The children also helped choose a large colour print by American fine art photographer Gray Malin called “Hide and Seek,” which shows a zebra incongruously visiting the Parker Palm Springs Hotel. A giant stuffed giraffe carries through an understated safari theme. The Terpstras’ home is imbued with childlike charm, but with a sense of sophistication. It shows that good design ideas can come out of the mouths of babes. •
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DESIGN
1. The colour scheme is soft and creamy. I had the walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s Simply White, while the trim and ceiling are Oxford White. This palette is soft and fresh and it lightens up the space.
SMALL SPACE,
2. A bevelled mirror hangs over the vanity, extending from countertop to ceiling. Placing mirrors in small spaces reflects light and creates the illusion of longer sightlines. This is the first element seen by the homeowners when they enter the space.
BIG IMPACT
The redesign of this bathroom packed many elements into a modestly proportioned room 2
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BY NADINE THOMSON PHOTOGRAPHY: ROBERT COSTAIN
MY MANDATE WITH THIS PROJECT was to create an ensuite bathroom that would be “glamorous and contemporary” for my clients, Martin Martinez and Robyn Schwartz. This was the second house I was designing for Martin and Robyn, who had moved from an open loft on the Lachine Canal in Montreal to a century-old house in nearby Westmount to accommodate their growing family (now three boys under the age of five). As an interior designer, I have years of experience designing the inside of private jets. So, I’m familiar with small spaces. The bathroom I designed for my clients functions perfectly, and it looks and feels so much larger than the 72 square feet that it measures. The colour palette was kept monochromatic. And despite the modest dimensions of the space, we chose the maximum-width vanity allowable since it’s the focal point. By doing this, we created the illusion of grandeur. •
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3. The shower measures 36-by-36 inches but feels larger because there is no curb. Its glass walls are flush with the tile floor. We installed a gutter drain on the periphery of the shower to keep its floor free of any obstruction.
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4. Hexagonal Carrara-marble tiles were used on the floor throughout the bathroom and into the curbless shower. Each hexagon is finished randomly – waxed, polished or textured – to create visual interest.
5. The white Odeon vanity from Restoration Hardware is the room’s focal point.
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8. We removed the old hot-water radiators to free up space for the tub, and the room was given under-floor heating.
9. The Sheerweave window blinds from Altex ensure privacy while allowing light in. The tight weave is a contemporary look, and the colour of the blinds blends well with the wall colour for a continuous, unobstructed canvas.
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6. Mixing metals in a room is currently on-trend. The faucets are polished chrome. By contrast, the Thomas O’Brien sconces from Circa Lighting are a matte brass. They create warmth and visual interest in this otherwise monochromatic environment. We mounted them slightly beyond the vanity to widen the sense of the focal point.
7. The pocket doors have a two-inch header, so the ceiling runs into the space from the adjoining room, creating a continuous sightline.
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LANDSCAPE TORONTO TRENDS 2018
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NEW LANDSCAPE IN A N E STA B L ISH ED NEIGHBOURHOOD A couple creates a contemporary-style garden behind their traditional-style home BY CHERYL CORNACCHIA PHOTOGRAPHY: JEFF MCNEILL
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LANDSCAPE TORONTO TRENDS 2018
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LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND GARDEN DESIGNERS can face a challenge when older homes are torn down to make room for larger new homes in well-established neighbourhoods. Municipal bylaws often require a new house to fit in with the existing neighbourhood’s more traditional architectural style. What is less often recognized is that the fit-in consideration can apply to a garden as well. A tear-down and rebuild in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake posed just that challenge to landscape designer Doug Glancy, the owner of Kiva Landscape, a Fonthill-based landscape architecture firm. A Toronto couple bought the tear-down to build what will eventually be their retirement home. Glancy says they settled on a two-storey house with siding, dormers and “an old town feel” - an architectural style more traditional than they may have chosen had the bylaws not restricted their design choices. However, when it came to the property’s landscape, he says, the couple wanted a more modern garden concept than the surrounding properties had. “The trend today, and what the couple wanted, was a modern style (garden) with sleek, clean lines, fewer curves and a less fussy approach,” says Glancy, adding: “When modern meets traditional is a good title for this project.” •
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LANDSCAPE
The design features an in-ground swimming pool, a covered porch, a multi-level patio with a bar and outdoor cooking facilities and a pool house. Glancy says he managed to give the couple the kind of contemporary garden they were seeking by adding soft outdoor lighting, long and narrow raised garden beds with trimmed boxwoods, ornamental grasses, flowering shrubs and trees, and architectural elements that blended contemporary and traditional design styles.
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“We were lucky we had pretty much a clean slate,” says Glancy of the 100-by-200foot yard. “There was nothing there.” A fivefoot slope from the back of the house to the very back of the property was the only thing that required some extra consideration. The new multi-level patio uses the slope to its advantage. The patio starts in the covered porch directly behind the house and drops down one level to the outdoor kitchen and bar, then drops down yet another level to the
pool and sun patio. On the pool level, precast concrete slabs were used along with artificial turf to create a geometric pattern in stone and grass. The alternative stone-and-grass part of the patio is both attractive and functional. It serves as a walkway to the adjacent lawn. •
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“Years back, we used to use more natural stone,” says Glancy. “But we wanted to keep the patio very clean, have it flow from space to space. Each piece of precast concrete is exactly the same thickness. They are easy to level. They age better and they don’t bleach out.” Similar precast concrete veneer is used on the walls in the outdoor kitchen and for garden beds. Another key design feature is a covered outdoor porch, which is accessed directly
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through French doors from the main living area of the house and is used for dining. It features an outdoor stone fireplace and screen walls that are concealed and can be rolled down if necessary. “It’s an important transition space,” says Glancy. The porch extends the indoors outdoors as well as extending the outdoors to the rest of the garden. It features a tongue-and-groove wood ceiling and architectural detail on the wood posts and beams so that it marries well with the house.
Then there’s the ‘wow’ factor at the very back of the garden. Although tiny compared with the rest of the property, the small pool house packs a big punch. It features a cupola, cedar shakes, mullioned windows, soft exterior lighting and a covered front porch of its own. Looking back at the house, it’s also the perfect place to enjoy a summer evening and take in the entire garden. •
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DESIGN
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE
Finding the right home coffee maker is the first step toward getting the perfect cup of java BY KAREN SEIDMAN
PEOPLE HAVE COME A LONG WAY from waking up to an ordinary cup of coffee. In a world with a Starbucks on every corner, and where a $5 cup of coffee seems to be no deterrent to enjoying the bean, the drink has become a national obsession. Whether you want it frothy, long-black, flat-white or as a macchiato, chances are that you head to your favourite coffee shop to indulge in a rich, aromatic cup of coffee often. And, increasingly, people want that same barista experience at home. “People really like to show off their coffee machines,” says Razvan Nitu, a manager for Linen Chest in Toronto who has sold many Nespresso and barista-style coffee makers. “Coffee isn’t just a drink – it’s an experience,” he says.
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DeLonghi Perfecta espresso and cappuccino machine
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Nespresso VertuoLine with Aeroccino 3 by Breville
Here are some things to consider when buying a coffee machine for your home: PRICE The entry level for a basic Nespresso machine is $180, while the elite Perfecta espresso and cappuccino machine by DeLonghi can cost as much as $2,000. In between, there’s the Breville Duo-Temp Pro Espresso machine, which costs about $400 without a grinder. The Breville Express Barista with a built-in grinder costs $799. There is also the cost of operation to consider, Nitu says. Nespresso,
for instance, at about $1 per cup for the capsules, is the most expensive. However, he adds, Linen Chest offers a compatible capsule for only 50 cents per unit. SIZE This is an important consideration for coffee machine buyers, says Nitu. In a small condo, some machines have a very large footprint that isn’t practical for them. Many people opt for a smaller machine for that reason.
THE WOW FACTOR How many bells and whistles do you want on your machine, and what type of coffee do you prefer? Some machines have built-in grinders, or built-in milk frothers. Some people want a more manual machine, such as the semi-automated Breville Barista because it allows them to control more features. By grinding your own beans, you can choose their coarseness. You can also choose the pressure of the water, which has a direct impact on the flavour. “A built-in precision dosing and precise temperature control allows you to increase or decrease the brew temperature so that you get that optimal temperature for your shot of espresso every time,” Nitu says. The top-of-the line Perfecta features a patented “Direct-to-Brew” system, which grinds beans instantly and ensures a fresher beverage, he adds. “It also allows the froth to pour at the same time as the coffee and has a coffee warmer to make multiple cups. This is our Cadillac!” Nitu says. “When people come into the store, we walk them through the process and coach them. It’s all about how to start your day with an amazing cup of coffee.” •
Linen Chest www.linenchest.com
THE TRENDS ISSUE Breville Express Barista
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BUYERS’ GUIDE
THE PLACE WHERE EVERYONE HANGS OUT Fohr Design Studio www.fohrdesign.com 416-670-3047 Sexton Works www.sextonworks.com 416-357-8008 LANDSCAPES THAT EVOKE DEEP EMOTION Scott MacKenzie Art www.scottmackenzieart.com 403-988-4983 THE GREENING OF HOME Jennifer Lynn Walker, Real Estate Broker www.montreal-realestate.ca 514-402-8444 NAVIGATING A COLOURFUL WORLD Kryptonie The Color Agency www.kryptonie.com 514-267-6274 RETHINKING RENOVATIONS Greening Homes www.greeninghomes.com 416-532-6811 My House Design/Build/Team www.myhousedesignbuild.com 604-694-6873 RénoVert Solutions www.renovert.ca 514-653-8378 DIAL UP THE STYLE WITH TILE Groupe Nord-Fab www.groupenordfab.ca www.claudebeland.ca 514-523-2007 ~ 514-891-1721
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Ciot www.ciot.com Canaroma www.canaroma.com 905-856-7979 X-Tile www.x-tile.net 416-749-7111 ~ Toronto (North) 905-949-8453 ~ Mississauga 416-783-8453 ~ Toronto (Central) Julian Tile www.juliantile.com Fontile Kitchen & Bath www.fontile.com 604-683 9358 SMALL SPACE, BIG IMPACT Nadine Thomson Interior Design www.nadinethomson.com 514-775-2259 LOUNGING WITH A FINE VINTAGE Papro Wine Cellars & Consulting www.paprowinecellars.ca 416-264-2229 CHILD’S PLAY Coco & Jack www.cocoandjack.com 905-380-4250 TIMELESS STYLE, IMMEDIATE IMPACT Janet Rosenberg & Studio www.jrstudio.ca 416-656-6665
NEW LANDSCAPE IN AN ESTABLISHED NEIGHBOURHOOD Kiva Landscape www.kivalandscape.com 289-897-9620 DESIGN THAT HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME Barroso Homes www.barrosohomes.com 416-723-9984 WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE Linen Chest www.linenchest.com A FEAST FOR THE SENSES Figo Toronto www.figotoronto.com 647-748-3446 Hoogan et Beaufort www.hooganetbeaufort.com 514-903-1233 Kō st www.kosttoronto.com 437-800-5938 Foiegwa www.foiegwa.com 438-387-4252 Le Super Qualité www.lesuperqualite.com 514-398-0184
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IN OUR NEXT ISSUE
If you’ve spent most of the summer outside, you may find yourself giving the interiors of your home some extra scrutiny when the cooler weather sends you back indoors. Such is the gift of autumn. It encourages us to really look around our homes and decide what design tweaks we can make during the cold months ahead. In our upcoming Autu m n issue, we’ll help you by showing you some inspiring homes that will make your design and renovation decisions easy. On sale in late August.
THE TRENDS ISSUE
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WELCOME TO YOUR NEW BACKYARDâ„¢
CELEBRATING
39 Years
160 East Beaver Creek Rd., #26, Richmond Hill, On. L4B 3L4
www.gppatio.com 905-709-1162
