EDITOR’S LETTER

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@HomeInCanadaMag I RECENTLY SAW this amusing meme: “Don’t know about y’all but I could sure go for some precedented times.” It’s funny because . . . well, aren’t we all just a little tired of being told that we are living through unprecedented times?

The past nine months have changed our lives so much that it’s difficult to remember what “precedented” looks like. In this issue, writer Susan Semenak tells us about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on design and architecture. And here’s something that is unprecedented: the number of homeowners—former gym goers—who are building dedicated spaces in their homes for exercise. It’s the safest way to enjoy a workout these days, and writer Julie Gedeon tells us all about it.

For those of us pondering a winter vacation this year, travel writer La Carmina urges us to discover destinations in our own backyard here in Canada. She’s also crafted a compelling narrative about how her sojourn in a Buddhist temple in Japan prepared her mentally and spiritually for the challenges of lockdown.

Because this is our winter issue, we give you our annual gift guide, discuss cozy bed linens for cold winter nights, and show you how to cook new variations on a beloved cold-weather comfort food: stew. In addition, writer Barbara Milner tells us how to make the interiors of our homes cozy for winter cocooning.

And we take you into some beautiful homes that I know you’ll love. The idea of home as sanctuary, after all, has taken on a poignant meaning this year.

As you’ve no doubt read in our publisher’s letter, this is the last print issue of Home in Canada. What a fascinating run we’ve had, and what fun.

I extend my gratitude to all the homeowners who have opened their doors to us over the years and allowed us to profile their spaces, to the designers who designed them, the photographers who shot them, and the stylists who styled them.

Throughout my editorship, I have been fortunate to have collaborated with talented, professional contributors: writers, photographers and stylists far too numerous to list here (you all know who you are). They’ve made my work life a joy. The same goes for my colleagues here at the magazine, dedicated folks who have always pulled together as a team to ensure that we produce this high-quality publication. It’s been an honour to collaborate with all of you—contributors and co-workers.

An editor’s constituency is her readers and I am so thankful for ours. Everything I do is with our readers in mind, and it has been my great pleasure to bring you this magazine’s varied content over the years.

I am grateful, too, for our advertisers, printer, distributors and everyone else who has contributed to the success of Home in Canada. It takes a village.

Finally, I send deep gratitude to our publisher, Sharon Azrieli, for the vision she has held for this magazine and for steering the ship through creative waters.

These are difficult times. I hope that you will find solace and comfort with those you love and in the safety of your home. Best wishes for the upcoming holiday season and may the new year be safer and happier than this “unprecedented” year.

Goodbye.

STEPHANIE WHITTAKER

Editor-in-Chief stephanie@homeincanadamagazine.ca

LA CARMINA

Travel journalist and TEDx speaker La Carmina is the recipient of the 2020 Bronze Award from the Society of American Travel Writers. She typically visits a dozen countries a year, but 2020 has kept her grounded at home in Vancouver. Writing about getaways from major Canadian cities has made her eager to embark on local adventures. “I’m excited to explore destinations in my own backyard that I’ve long overlooked,” she says. “And I’ve realized just how much my experiences abroad— such as staying in a Japanese Buddhist temple—have taught me to be resilient in challenging times.” Follow La Carmina’s journeys on @lacarmina Instagram, and on her award-winning blog lacarmina.com.

JEAN MONET

Jean Monet is a designer who has styled interiors for this magazine since its inception. For this issue, Jean styled a Montreal apartment that he had previously decorated for his clients. “In the condo belonging to Joanne and Howard Nemeroff, we were striving for a New York sensibility,” he says. On the opposite side of the St. Lawrence River is a historic jewel in Boucherville, Quebec that Jean also styled. “I applied my personal touch while styling both of these projects for our photo shoots,” he says. “It resulted in amazing photos. We are living through difficult times, and my goal was to show off these beautiful interiors to offer our readers that sense of comfort that everyone is seeking now.”

GILLIAN JACKSON

Gillian Jackson is a Toronto-based photographer specializing in interiors and architecture who works across North America. When California-based Tuvalu Homes asked her to photograph a lakeside cottage in Muskoka, she jumped at the opportunity. The area is special to Gill; she spent summers there during her formative years. “I was so impressed with Tuvalu’s design for this family cottage,” she says. “The combination of Tuvalu’s iconic Laguna beach aesthetic of soft tones and pastels, mixed with Muskoka’s rustic stone and wood elements, created such a wonderful, restorative and restful atmosphere, just perfect for family gatherings and lakeside entertaining.”

SUSAN SEMENAK

Susan Semenak is a Montreal writer and cookbook author. She has survived the pandemic by escaping to her kitchen and her garden. She’s not alone. In her story about how the pandemic has influenced architecture and design, she looks at the ways homeowners are making their spaces cozier and more efficient. And in her Kitchen Chronicles column, she heads into the kitchen with new ideas for jazzing up winter stews.

DREW HADLEY

Montreal photographer Drew Hadley says he had a lot of fun working with stylist Jean Monet on two projects featured in this issue. “Both locations are meticulously decorated with splashes of robust colour,” Drew says. “In the historic home in Boucherville, the homeowner did a superb job of lovingly restoring the structure to its original glory. I love the exposed wood beams and stone chimney. And the apartment in downtown Montreal that we photographed is beautifully appointed. I admired the simplicity of its design with those clean walls, adorned with artworks.” Drew specializes in design and architectural photography.

The two photographs on page 141 and the right-hand photograph on page 143 of the Autumn issue were incorrectly attributed. In fact, the photos, which show a project by Accessible Daily Living of Toronto with tiling done by Tileworx, should have been credited to Accessible Daily Living. Home in Canada regrets the error. Toronto Edition Volume 10, number 5; Winter 2020 Date of Issue: November, 2020

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PUBLISHER Dr. Sharon Azrieli, CQ CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Stanley Kirsh

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Stephanie Whittaker

ART DIRECTOR

Nader Meleika

PROOFREADER (English)

Phillipa Rispin

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Carmen Lefebvre

CONTRIBUTORS

Cheryl Cornacchia Julie Gedeon Lana Harper Wendy Helfenbaum Elisabeth Kalbfuss Susan Kelly La Carmina Tracey MacKenzie Barbara Milner Phillipa Rispin Susan Semenak

PHOTOGRAPHY

Patrick Biller Mike Chajecki Drew Hadley Gillian Jackson Joel Klassen La Carmina Alex Lukey Virginia MacDonald Susan Semenak

STYLISTS

Laurie Alter Joel Bray Alison Connor Wendy Grand Pre Emily Griffin Stephanie Houghton Shiva Khalilnia Stephanie Molinaro Jean Monet Katie Mooney Alykhan Velji

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Matthew Azrieli

CONTROLLER

Jenny Marques

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Artur Kozyra

DIRECTOR PARTNERSHIPS - MARKETING & SALES

Liliana Da Costa

LEGAL DEPOSIT

issn 1927-324x Home In Canada Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. Any copying or reproduction of content without the written permission of Home In Canada is strictly prohibited.

30 CLOSE TO HOME

As the pandemic slows international travel, Canadians have an opportunity to vacation in their own country this winter

HISTORY RESTORED

An 1835 Quebec house is brought back from decrepitude by a man who could see its potential beauty

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HOLIDAY-READY

A design team outfits a Muskoka vacation home in time for Christmas

76 VASTLY TINY THINGS

A photographer captures images of oysters to create large, fascinating artworks

PUBLISHER’S LETTER EDITOR’S LETTER THIS JUST IN

A selection of new items for your home

TIMING TRAVAILS

Downsizing during a pandemic was challenging for a Montreal couple, but it nonetheless gave them the perfect new home

STRIKING A BEAUTIFUL CHORD

These hand-crafted guitar stands are—like the instruments they support—works of art

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Holiday decor and dining with fine tableware is more important this year than ever, says designer Joel Bray

ALWAYS CREATING

Montreal jeweller Gloria Bass continues to innovate and craft original pieces

MODERNIZING THE MODERN

A Mid-century Modern home in Calgary is updated for today with reverence and respect for its past

A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

The pandemic has inspired new ways of celebrating Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights

THE PRESENT MOMENT

Our annual gift guide helps you find the right holiday gifts

CHANGE OF DIRECTION

As it transforms our lives, the COVID-19 pandemic is also exerting an impact on interior design and architecture

TEA TIME

We take teaware for granted, but it has a fascinating history

COZY, COMFORTABLE AND COVETED

The latest bedding from UGG promises to warm up the winter nights and beautify the bedroom

THE NEW STEW

An updated version of this hearty, cold-weather dinner goes beyond meat and potatoes

CANADIAN COZINESS

Warm up to winter by making the interiors of your home light and inviting

TRADITIONAL AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY

This Toronto home is given Old-World style that is both elegant and welcoming for children

READY TO LAUNCH

It’s time to work some decor magic for a fresh start in 2021

VIDEO BARISTAS

The JURA Hospitality Centre teaches you to make perfect coffee, and you won’t even have to leave your house

SUITE RETREAT

A renovated bedroom and bathroom provide a Toronto couple with a cozy sanctuary

LUXURY LIFE

A Toronto designer adds glamour and warmth to a King West condo

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102 IN PURSUIT OF STILLNESS AND PEACE

A stay in a Japanese Buddhist temple was this travel writer’s preparation for the COVID-19 lockdown

48 STAY HOME, STAY FIT

As fitness buffs eschew workouts in commercial gyms, some are creating dedicated exercise spaces at home