Ottawa At Home Magazine — Spring/Summer 2023 — Renovation Issue

When you make the move into a Lépine apartment home, you’ll feel fulfilled and in control of your future. This is your opportunity to experience the finer things in life; from more time with friends and family, to going on vacation without worrying about home maintenance.

Lépine offers a variety of rental apartments to suit your lifestyle. Our spacious apartments offer barrier-free accessibility, high ceilings, comparatively larger floorplan designs with quality finishes.

LAKES SMITHS FALLS

COVER PHOTO BY JORDANN BROWN

FROM eQ HOMES

New modern home designs in communities all across Ottawa.

Thousands of dollars in free upgrades are waiting for you at our Design Studio to create your own paradise.

Premium finishes are standard and often upgrades from other builders

KEMPTVILLE ROCKLAND FINDLAY CREEK ORLÉANS OLD OTTAWA EAST

LET’S CONNECT

twitter @Ottawaathomemag

instagram @ottawaathomemag

Mary’s Must Reads

OLD & NEW

I am a big fan of forward movement and making changes, but sometimes it feels good to see things stay the same. Here at Ottawa At Home, we are working to deliver what our readers expect from us, however, this issue combines both spring and summer, and I feel good about this adjustment.

On these pages, you’ll find renovation features for every room of the house, along with summer fun at the cottage and road-tripping ideas for anyone looking to get out of town and not too far from home. And one of the exciting new experiences in Ottawa is showcased in our Dining Out section. Thanks to Paula Roy, we better understand what to expect from SoPa, a hip new district. I had fun stepping into the Metcalfe Hotel for my editor’s photo in the lobby library, which felt like an ideal spot for an image that showcases plenty of intriguing reading material. I’ll likely return someday to sip a cappuccino and read one of my latest Must Reads.

It’s no secret that I get excited when I hear about fun things happening in the Nation’s Capital, and my heart sings particularly loudly when I learn about impressive things locals are doing. When a press release came my way about a musician from Ottawa who just happened to be an old friend of Olivia Taggart, I knew she’d be the right person to assign the feature to. She was delighted to connect with her old pal, who sheds light on what makes Ottawa such a compelling city for a musician to live in.

It’s often said when the world moves too fast, we pull back to find comfort in what we know. Korey Kealey answers this with a recipe that takes us back to a time when pineapple upside-down cake was a hit at all the potluck suppers —yep, the casual dining experience is back in vogue.

Happy exploring,

instagram @maryktaggart

WOMEN ARE THE FIERCEST CREATURES

ANDREA DUNLOP THREE WOMEN BAND TOGETHER TO TAKE ON A RISING STAR TECH EXECUTIVE THAT THEY EACH FEEL OWED SOMETHING FROM.

CLOSER BY SEA PERRY CHAFE

THE INVISIBLE HOUR

ALICE HOFFMAN TIME TRAVEL ALLOWS A YOUNG WOMAN TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE WRITER OF HER FAVOURITE BOOK.

A COMING OF AGE STORY THAT CAPTURES THAT MOMENT IN TIME WHEN CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE MAKES WAY FOR THE HARSH ADULT EXPERIENCE.

THE ST. AMBROSE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

JESSICA WARD

A TWISTY COMING OF AGE STORY SET IN A BOARDING SCHOOL WHERE SECRETS ARE DEVASTATING — AND DEADLY.

SUNSHINE NAILS

MAI NGUYEN

A FAMILY FIGHTS TO SAVE THE FATE OF THEIR NO‑FRILLS NAIL SALON WHEN A HIGH END SALON MOVES IN ON THEIR TURF.

JOHANNA PORTER IS NOT SORRY

SARA READ A SOCCER MOM STRIVING TO BECOME WHAT SHE ONCE WAS.

BERRY PICKERS

AMANDA PETERS THE MYSTERY OF A FOUR‑YEAR‑OLD MI’KMAQ GIRL, WHO GOES MISSING FROM THE BLUEBERRY FIELDS IN MAINE, HAUNTS THE COMMUNITY.

It’s not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the most responsive to change.”

—CHARLES DARWIN

PHOTO BY MARK HOLLERON

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Mary Taggart

DESIGN & LAYOUT AN Design Communications

ASSOCIATE & WEB EDITOR

Olivia Taggart

PHOTOGRAPHER

Mark Holleron

FOOD EDITOR

Paula Roy

FOOD CONTRIBUTOR

Korey Kealey

STYLE/BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

Melissa Shabinsky

CONTRIBUTORS

Jordann Brown, Laura Byrne Paquet, Mary Ciancibello, Clark, Sandy Connell, Hollie Grace James, James, Tia Macpherson, Xenia Rose, Ted Simpson, Van Leeuwen, Alexia Wilkinson-Naidoo

PROOF READER

Paula Roy

ADVERTISING

Jennifer Tackaberry jtackaberry@ottawaathome.ca

ADMINISTRATION

David Lindsay

FINANCE MANAGER

Danial Taggart

PUBLISHER

Mary Taggart

PUBLISHED BY Ottawa At Home Media Inc.

CONTACT US editor@ottawaathome.ca

DIRECTOR OF NEWSSTAND

Craig Sweetman

SUBSCRIPTIONS ottawaathome.ca

CIRCULATION printed 3 times per year

-issue subscription $25.00

OTTAWA AT HOME MEDIA INC.

Contents © 2023. Reproduction of advertisements or articles appearing in Ottawa At Home, in whole or in part, is Ottawa At Home and Ottawa At Home Media Inc. shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The publisher’s liability for other errors or omissions in connection with any advertisement is strictly limited to publication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue or the refund of any monies paid for the advertisement.

BY MARY TAGGART

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK HOLLERON

TABLE DRESSING

atalie Bianconi adopts the attitude of 'wear your party dress any day of the week' when dressing her table. Natalie goes all out, whether it’s a simple dessert spread or a formal dinner. “My Irish and Italian background means entertaining in our home is a frequent occurrence,” offers the designer and mom of two boys, adding, “this passion has remained through generations as my grandmother was well known for her elegantly-dressed tables.”

Whether feeding her family of four or gathering a crowd, pulling collected dishes and glassware from cupboards, Natalie has no trouble mixing and matching so that her tablescape always offers intrigue for the eye. By mixing metals and adding decorative glassware, the table will always provide something to draw the eye to the carefully curated details while serving a functional purpose. “Various heights and styles in crystal glasses provide an element of interest,” assures Natalie.

Natalie takes care to honour each season by combining seasonal flowers and food items within her tabletop décor. She begins with a neutral palette and then injects colour as she sees fit to suit the event's occasion, season, and overall mood. For spring and summer, table décor colours come in soft and then fire up as the temperature outside increases to produce deeper greens and brighter coloured flowers. “I especially like flowers and greenery in my table settings as they add great beauty, colour, and elegance. A specific flower choice and color can also help strengthen a seasonal concept,” she advises.

Forever Ever &

BY ALEXIA WILKINSON-NAIDOO PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORDANN BROWN

When Scott and Angela Helmer built their bungalow near Osgoode in 1998, the newlyweds had modest aspirations for their starter home. They definitely weren’t planning to stay long-term.

Priorities changed when the Helmers learned the oldest of two sons had autism. “One of the reasons we didn’t make many changes to the house over the years is because we ran an intensive therapy program here for Josh,” said Scott. Josh now attends a day program in the city, but having a place that’s comfortable for him and the whole family is essential.

“We finally decided to make this our forever home and do the things we couldn’t afford to back when we built the house,” offers Scott.

MAKING CHANGES

Stefanie Seguin and Twig and Timber Interiors came on the scene to help the Helmers achieve their goals. “They wanted a bright, airy refresh that combined rustic and refined elements,” Stefanie explains. “I call it Modern Farmhouse.” Stefanie incorporated herringbone brick floors in the entrance and laundry room to keep some rustic elements. On the fireplace, she installed stone with a timber mantel. The herringbone pattern is echoed in the kitchen’s marble backsplash.

The handrail was updated, and all the flooring and trim were changed out. Vertical shiplap was added to the entry and carried into the dining room.

Stefanie went with a natural, warm palette for the walls, choosing Benjamin Moore Biloba Mist for the main living areas.

“I’ve always been scared of white, but with the kitchen, she recommended Swiss Coffee from Benjamin Moore, a warm white that really works,” Angela states.

A subtle Schumacher Whitewash wallpaper adds an extra element of coziness and texture to the entrance. “Every time I bring up wallpaper to a new client, I’m not sure if they’re going to cringe or not,” Stefanie says.

“I was really opposed to the wallpaper,” Scott laughs, “but even I must admit it turned out great.”

Every time I bring up wallpaper to a new client, I’m not sure if they’re going to cringe.

Stefanie Seguin

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS

Improving organization and storage were important objectives for the project. “They needed extra storage and counter space, but with a footprint of 1,100 square feet, I had to be creative,” said Stefanie. “I asked them how they used their space. They don’t use the front door much other than for guests, so hooks worked there rather than an intensive coat hanger solution.”

“Sometimes you need someone with an objective eye to see how it might function better,” Angela says. “We’ve lived here for almost 25 years, and I didn’t know how to see it differently.”

The Helmers like to cook and wanted an upgraded kitchen that was easier to work in. Angela likes low lighting, while Scott prefers things to be bright, so Stefanie took care of both with plenty of lights and dimmer switches. She used Rejuvenation  Lighting for a sophisticated, neutral approach with a touch of farmhouse feel.

Additional counter space and cabinetry were made possible in the kitchen by repositioning appliances and moving a closet from the kitchen to the laundry room, where cabinetry was added above the washer and dryer.

The pantry storage was moved to a new cabinet in the dining room next to the table.

“By creating a bench and moving the table slightly closer to the wall, I gave them more wiggle room between their table and the peninsula and more seating for when their younger son is home from university or for entertaining,” says Stefanie.

“Sometimes you need someone with an objective eye to see how it might function better.

Angela Helmer

Under the bench, she added three large drawers for extra storage. The bench and pillows are upholstered in a white performance fabric that looks luxurious but is also practical.

Stefanie devised a whimsical solution in place of the kitchen’s corner lazy Susan by making the freed space on the other side of the peninsula into a hidden cabinet. Pushing the right panel opens the door to Scott’s prized whisky collection.

Custom pillows were designed for the living room, and two leather loveseats were swapped out for a large sectional from Dala Decor, providing better space and additional seating.

“They really allowed me to do my thing — carte blanche. It’s super important to understand your clients' needs, and when they give you full faith, amazing things can happen,” said Stefanie.

“We’ll love this for a long time,” exclaims Angela. “I still walk through the house and can’t believe what she came up with or that it’s the same house. It used to be a cookie-cutter bungalow. I just wanted somebody to come into the house and say ‘Wow,’ and literally, they say that every time now.”

The German kitchen. Since 1898.

Unsurpassed design options for every budget.

EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE IN THE OTTAWA REGION AT OPTIMIZE INTERIORS

TILE TRENDS Bathroom Update

BY MARY TAGGART instagram twitter @maryktaggart

Adding colour to space doesn’t have to mean simply painting the walls. Tiles have a significant impact, and the design industry is enjoying a resurgence in the use of tile throughout the home. Tile in the bathroom is always in style, but it often comes through in subtle details. Trend forecasters are telling us to embrace colour through tiles that speak to the natural world. Find elements of green

that breathe life into space or turn that green blue. Whether you are looking for water or sky influences, blue tiles are coming in hot for 2023 and beyond.

Textured tiles with a mottled look dress up bathroom spaces to bring in colour. When the tile is added to shower or tub walls, it’s easy to counterbalance with a more neutral floor or wall colour, so the feeling is luxurious, soothing, stylish, and up-to-date.

IMAGE BY FIO CREATIVE

DOCK DAYS

OF SUMMER

BY HOLLIE GRACE JAMES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORDANN BROWN

As the remnants of a warm summer breeze skirt across the lake and the setting sun paints the sky periwinkle, almost a dozen members of a large but close‑knit extended family enjoy the moment together, just as they have over many summers. A location steeped in family history, the cottage owner’s great‑grandfather set down roots on Big Rideau Lake in the early 1900s, along the 24 kilometres spanning the largest and deepest segment of the Rideau Canal Waterway.

One of seven children, the owner reminisces about summers spent lakeside and claims that it was only natural for him to snatch an undeveloped property in the area nearly 40 years ago, with 4.8 hectares of land and 450 metres of shoreline. “Our property has a natural isthmus that creates a very protected bay area where we can dock our boats, and we have a sandy beach which is very rare on the Rideau Lakes,” he explains, speaking of what drew him and his wife to that particular spot. Eventually, due to the passing of time and the welcoming of three daughters, then their partners and their children, the once modest four bedroom cottage simply could not sustain the growing brood. So, adding a two-bedroom cabin and a second full-service cottage was deemed necessary.

Living full-time in Toronto, one daughter credits summers at the cottage as a basis for the family’s close relationships, despite the physical distance. “What I think makes any cottage special is its ability to serve as a gathering space for a family — a place where we can come together even if we live in different cities because it gives us a central place to spend time together.” Engaging in typical cottage activities like fishing, tubing, sailing, and stoking bonfires means little time is spent indoors. That meant additional living spaces weren’t the only necessary upgrades. It remained pertinent that the family retain the ability to enjoy outdoor gathering spaces, including a central fire pit and a brand-new dock, which serves as a morning meet-up point to plan the summer day ahead.

YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED TO TELL ANYONE ELSE THAT THEY CAN’T COME.

There exists a family rule, though, explains another daughter. “You’re not allowed to tell anyone else that they can’t come,” she says, laughing while insisting the existence of a family cottage is time spent together, which means there is no divvying up of weekends. It isn’t only reinforcing bonds with one another that they all appreciate about cottage living but also re-connecting with the natural world surrounding them. “It’s healthy for the kids to be out in nature and push themselves — they’ve learned to swim, they jump off the boat and the rocks, they’ve tried waterskiing, they play in the tree fort, and navigate through the woods in an attempt to find [the mineral] mica…they put away the iPads! To be integrated with nature is really nice for them.”

It isn’t only the kids that benefit from summers spent at the cottage, explains the third daughter, who is thrilled that all three of the sisters have become dog moms, thus incorporating a new dynamic of furry friendships into the family. “They are all the same colour but different breeds, and they love being at the cottage and being together, and they get so excited when they see each other.”

WHAT I THINK MAKES ANY COTTAGE SPECIAL IS ITS ABILITY TO SERVE AS A GATHERING SPACE FOR A FAMILY.

Nonetheless, there are moments of pure blissful relaxation among the hectic and chaotic hustle and bustle that naturally radiates from a large and loving family. It’s not unusual to observe a doe and baby fawn making their way around the cottage as the sun rises early in the morning or to equally

revel in the beauty of the full moon dancing across the lake in the blackness of the night. The hope is simply to enjoy time together and to pass this ability on to future generations so that no matter what direction life pulls them in, there is their spot on Big Rideau Lake.

WHERE BOTH STYLE AND FUNCTIONALITY MEET.

EXPERT DESIGN CONSULTANTS

Specially trained to ensure each project is inspirational while complimenting your home and your life — a custom solution that can meet any scope or budget.

FINANCING AVAILABLE

0% interest or no payments until 2024.

We have a financing plan that will work for your budget. The process is straightforward, easy to complete and convenient.

DYMON.CA

1-877-DYM ONKC (396-6652)

Enjoy unparalled access to nature with unbeatable views while staying connected with amenities of established Barrhaven.

REGISTER AT CAIVAN.COM

BLENDING

FOR BEAUTY

BY ROCHELLE JAMES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORDANN BROWN

Welcome to Ottawa’s Island Park neighborhood, where a beautifully renovated Tudor-style home awaits. The renovation, led by designer Jane Keyserlingk, of Keyserlingk Design, and brought to life by Crossford Construction, aimed to meet the needs of homeowners Shauna Castle and Brad Jeffers and their growing family while maintaining the home’s original charm. The result is a functional yet visually striking space that radiates elegance and sophistication, nestled in a picturesque setting.

The project was extensive, with a major first-floor addition off the back of the existing home to include a family room, powder room, and mudroom. The challenge was incorporating all these rooms while maintaining enough of the backyard for the children to play. Jane explains, “It is always important to come together with a design that stays true to the original style and bones of the home while adding a more current and elevated look. There is nothing worse than seeing an addition to a home that is not in keeping with its original aesthetic.”

Jane’s team found inspiration in classic European homes with integrated sunrooms and additions. They opted to fully clad the addition in a dark grey-green stucco to match the shade of the batten details on the home. Full-height dark bronze windows were chosen to create a more dramatic look, and the fireplace was matched to the stone from the front of the house to create a beautiful feature wall that acted as the focal point of the addition.

The couple’s wish list included a family room with a double-sided fireplace to the backyard, a small powder room with punch, and a back entrance with plenty of functional storage that was also pretty to look at. Shauna shared many magazine clippings and inspirational photos to help bring their vision together, with a goal to honour the home’s character yet make it livable and interesting for their young family.

The resulting design is a beautiful blend of Scandinavian minimalism with classic vintage touches to create a bright, airy feel and calming atmosphere. Warm wood elements were incorporated to mirror the existing arched doorways seen throughout the house, and full-height wainscoting was added for architectural interest. French doors and a beautiful faux limestone-washed fireplace mantel with simple lines were chosen to complement the adjacent living room mantel, which is more traditional and ornate.

WE LOVE JANE’S DESIGN STYLE, WHICH COMBINES BOTH CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY ELEMENTS. WE WERE INSPIRED BY HER ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND USE OF NATURAL MATERIALS.

SHAUNA CASTLE

Shauna explains, “We love Jane’s design style, which combines both classic and contemporary elements. We were inspired by her attention to detail and use of natural materials.”

When it came to furnishings in the living room, the team mixed darker woods with lighter furniture and paint to create contrast and make certain pieces stand out. They opted for linen-like fabrics with high stain and abrasion resistance and added in darker elements such as an iron coffee table with a deep charcoal stone top, a black mid-century mirror, and an ebony-stained side table. The lighter white oak shelving provided a more subtle contrast to the creamy walls and soft furnishings. They also brought in a carpet with subtle blues and greens, adding to the tranquil colour scheme. Keyserlingk Design’s approach to layering and texture, as well as their thoughtful consideration of each client, ensured that the design reflected their personalities.

Shauna and Brad are thrilled with the result of their renovation project. “We love our new space,” says Shauna. “It’s so functional but also reflects our style and feels like us. We couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out.”

The team at Crossford Construction is also pleased with how the project turned out. “We were proud to have been part of this project and to have worked with such a talented and dedicated design team,” says Lindsay Nicol, President and Founder of Crossford Construction.

Ultimately, the result is more than just a pretty façade; it’s a valuable investment to enjoy for years to come. The attention to detail in both the exterior and interior design is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of staying true to a home’s original character and charm. The family’s renovated home seamlessly blends classic and contemporary design elements and perfectly reflects the personalities and needs of its owners. It is a showcase of how thoughtful design can elevate and transform a home while remaining functional and welcoming.

Calke Green No.

W ISH LIST

BY XENIA ROSE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTIN VAN LEEUWEN

Emma Doucet, founder and principal designer at Grassroots Design & Build, turns to bold colours, unique patterns, adventurous pairings, and natural materials for inspiration in a kitchen infused with all the elements that make it feel like a breath of fresh air.

MAKING SPACE FOR FAMILY LIVING

The Civic Hospital-area home was lacking personality and stuck in the past, with a closed-off kitchen, yet the homeowners saw its potential and viewed it as their “forever home.” Rather than basing their decisions on resale value, they approached the design process thoughtfully, aware that every detail mattered as they’d be living with their choices for decades.

In keeping with the layout of many older homes, the kitchen, dining room, and living room were distinct, tight spaces. Expanding the kitchen to include the existing dining room offered the illusion of a more expansive space, despite the footprint remaining the same.

Considering the clients' lifestyle is arguably one of the most important considerations when designing a home. For the kitchen’s floor plan, a more laid-back layout was the preference for this family of four. Emma achieved this by combining a custom dining bench for the table and spacious seating at the peninsula.

This layout promotes a casual dining experience, allows for open-concept entertaining, and encourages the family to cook together. It also provided an ideal opportunity to flank the dining area with additional storage, brass mesh details, and wine storage. A punchy Thatcher wallpaper is the backdrop to a leather channel tufted bench — a showstopping focal point.

MINDFUL MILLWORK & MATERIALS

Soft, green cabinetry was the top choice in colour for both the client and Grassroots, so careful consideration was taken to ensure the perfect hue was chosen to complement the yellow stove — a wish-list must-have. A tone-on-tone look was brought into the kitchen with the subtle green backsplash tiles; the perfect monochromatic combination allows the vibrant Bertazzoni range to take its rightful place at center stage.

“I remember the day these clients asked us what we thought about using a bright yellow stove in their design like it was just yesterday… probably because it’s one of the most exciting questions I’ve ever been asked,” joked Emma.

A light grey quartz was chosen for the countertop to continue the soft, tonal palette. The smooth surface cascades over the edge, reflecting light throughout the space. Butcher block was incorporated into select millwork areas to soften the quartz and bring some supplemental warmth into the kitchen — beautifully framing the spacious, built-in pantry that grounds the peninsula. Both arched openings that lead into the kitchen are trimmed with natural wood, a design detail that has become a fan favourite in this project.

Another notable mention is the free-standing coffee bar, an item high on the priority list for the clients. As all coffee aficionados can agree, a dedicated spot to make your coffee is a must in any dream kitchen.

While the finished space is miles ahead of its original state from a design perspective, what is most gratifying is a space designed for the family to make long-lasting memories.

LAKE-SIDE SUMMERS AND POOL - SIDE WINTERS ARE IN YOUR FUTURE AT LÉPINE APARTMENTS

Are you craving more time for the things that matter most to you?

There’s finally a way to upgrade your lifestyle from one filled with the hurdles of house maintenance to one of home freedom! Lépine offers an apartment lifestyle like you’ve never seen before. This is an opportunity to live in a bungalow-sized apartment fully loaded with amenities you can enjoy with friends and family.

Transitioning from long term homeownership to apartment living can be a major lifestyle change. Fortunately, rental communities like Lépine Apartments are making that transition much simpler in a number of ways.

Whether you’re an empty nester looking for a change of pace, or a young professional not ready to jump into the homeowners market quite yet, you now have more options than ever with rental communities like Lépine popping up all over Ottawa.

The days of lawn maintenance, home repairs, and basic upkeep are long behind you once you make the move to a Lépine community. With onsite management teams caring for the grounds, you have less responsibility and more simplicity, so you can focus on what truly matters in life. Mortgages, condo fees, property taxes, and legal expenses are a thing of the past. Instead, you’re able to enjoy opportunities, stability, security, and a surprise-free lifestyle protected from unanticipated expenses.

The biggest perk that people enjoy while renting a Lépine apartment is the freedom. Want to lock up and leave for vacation? You can rest assured that your home will be maintained and cared for while you’re away. Long gone are the days of coming home to snow buildup, overgrown lawns, leaf piles, or plumbing mishaps.

If you find yourself seeking a change of pace and are ready to make that transition, you can feel at ease knowing that rental communities like Lépine are there to make the transition simpler and offer a lighter pace of life.

At Lépine, you have all the space you need. As soon as you step into a Lépine apartment home you notice the grand entryway leading to a bright and spacious apartment, with quality hardwood floors, cabinetry, and decor that’s meant to inspire comfort. Designed for efficiency, there’s ample closet and cupboard space, supplemental storage, and 9-foot-high ceilings adding to the spacious bungalow-sized feel.

You can enjoy features like underground parking, various outdoor spaces and landscaping ongrounds, as well as perks like a fitness centre, yoga studio, indoor pool, and spaces designed for socializing like a lounge, reception hall, and rooftop terraces.

Every Lépine community is wonderfully landscaped. The underground parking maximizes available greenspace. Instead of being met with gray parking lots filled with vehicles, your first sight is luscious greenery. When you live in a Lépine Apartment, you will be surrounded by gardens, courtyards, ponds and fountains , terraces, patios, and gazebos.

A home and its amenities don’t amount to much without a community of people to enjoy them. Whichever Lépine community you live in, you’re surrounded by friendly, like-minded neighbours all hoping to live life to the fullest.

Each of Lépine’s apartment communities are located next to shopping opportunities and other conveniences. You can find them in well-known neighbourhoods like Kanata, Barrhaven, Carleton Place, Renfrew, Smiths Falls, and more to come. Whether you enjoy the bustling a city or a small town ambiance, you can live carefree in the region you’ve grown to love.

Various kinds of leases are available and can be customized to your individual needs. Lépine offers long-term leasing plans that provide their residents with stability and security.

With average Ottawa house prices still hovering between $700,000 and $800,000 this is an opportune time to consider upgrading your lifestyle into a bungalow sized apartment in a resort style community.

Call Lépine Apartments today to explore your options and take advantage of their newest offering in Kanata Lakes—The Normand. Where there are still several large apartments available. You can reserve a Lépine Apartment today and then take the time you need to sell your house and move with ease.

Homey Workspace

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY

BY TED SIMPSON

You can’t miss the real estate office of Ian Charlebois. Coming down from the Queensway off-ramp for Kent Street, the building is unmistakable with bold lettering affixed to the dark façade and a monolithic glass window stretching from edge to edge.

As you might have guessed, there’s a story behind this building. And to get it, we must go inside and meet the man behind the madness.

Ian knew he wanted to establish an office in the historic Glebe neighbourhood, but he was looking for something different — a location with character. So, through door knocking and negotiation, he acquired one of the first homes ever built in the Glebe, dating back to

1915. The agent purchased the house from the family of the original owner.

Over the years that he’s owned the space, Ian has been working to transition the century home into a client-friendly, modern office that still retains the original character.

“I wanted a nice, central location to be representative of my business,” says Ian. “So clean, functional, efficient inside and out, but I also want to appreciate the history of what I own.”

The interior structure of the building was modified and reinforced to allow for an open-concept design with no interior walls on the first floor — not something you’d typically

find in such an old house. At the same time, the ceiling was stripped back to expose the original floor joists overhead.

The centrepiece of Ian’s office space is the exposed brickwork of the old fireplace chimney that has been ensconced by a beautiful, glass-encased wine rack. As a personal touch, Ian likes to gift each of his clients a bottle of fine wine after closing their sale. He also wanted an interior showpiece for his office that would catch the eye of rush-hour commuters and passers-by to really leave an impression.

TAKE ME TO THE MOVIES

Matt Demers may have invented his A-list celebrity reporter alter ego, Mr. Hollywood, to manifest fame and fortune, taking on the mantra, “I’m famous because I wanna be.” But Matt’s continuing success has everything to do with his hard work and commitment to the entertainment industry across a fifteen year career in television, radio, and online media that’s made him famous, not just at home in Ottawa, but around the world.

He got his start in the business the same way all great, 21st-century artists do — by winning a reality TV show contest. It all began back in 2008 with a Rogers TV Ottawa program called Your Screen Test. For their prize, the contest winner was given the opportunity to host four episodes of their very own Rogers TV show. And thus, Mr. Hollywood was born — a larger than life, exaggerated caricature of Matt’s true self, bordering on obnoxious and miles away from ‘politically correct’. It was the style at the time.

You may remember another Ottawa native who got his start doing public access TV at Rogers: the internationally-renowned comedian Tom Green. Mr. Hollywood didn’t take off with quite the same energy as The Tom Green Show, but it was enough for Matt to live out his fantasy as a late-night talk show host and securely jam his foot into the entertainment industry’s doorway. “From there, I kind of made relationships, and I ended up doing a lot more stuff on TV and radio,” Matt says.

Mr. Hollywood was all about taking an eccentric, comedic approach to the world of celebrity reporting. Kind of like if you were to smash together The Colbert Report with Entertainment Tonight and produce it all on a shoestring budget.

Matt created a sort of guerilla warfarestyle approach to red-carpet affairs. Two examples: he crashed the Toronto International Film Festival without media accreditation; similarly, his infamous coverage of the 2010 Genie Awards left Dawson’s Creek star, Joshua Jackson, stunned and near speechless in response to Mr. Hollywood’s questioning.

MANIFEST FAME & FORTUNE

“That’s the avenue we were going with; it was a fight to get seen or have these Canadian production companies see your tape,” says Matt. “We had a few meetings, but I couldn’t see a finish line of a big career coming out of it.”

But he kept grinding. He was waking up early to make appearances on CTV Morning Live in Ottawa for Oscar predictions that eventually led to him becoming their resident pop culture commentator and analyst. That opened the door to an international audience with CTV News Network’s Fame Factor entertainment panels.

Through the Bell Media umbrella, Matt found himself on Ottawa’s AM talk radio CFRA in 2016. Host Evan Solomon liked him so much that Matt kept getting invited back week after week until Mr. Hollywood became the station’s resident film critic, a position he still holds and which keeps him watching and reviewing three new release movies every week.

At the same time as all that was happening, Matt secured a position with Canadian media giant WatchMojo, where he’s now employed full-time as a Senior Content Editor and host of the weekly Pop Culture Now! podcast.

Matt also posts all of his latest movie reviews on his website, The Flaming Thumb, where he has implemented his own unique rating system. Each film receives a score out of ten flaming thumbs. A good movie is on fire, a great one is exploding, and a lackluster movie gets a fizzle.

Over the years, Mr. Hollywood and Matt Demers have found a kind of equilibrium in their public persona. “So the Mr. Hollywood character was very excited about celebrities and pop culture, but he was maybe a little too excited,” says Matt. “Now, when I go on TV or radio, it’s not a character; it’s me being genuinely excited about all the stuff I’m talking about.”

PHOTO AND WORDS BY TED SIMPSON

Re-inventions

Renovations

BY SANDY CONNELL

OLD TO NEW

Melissa Commandant moved into her first home in 2020 and found inspiration in upcycling vintage pieces to furnish it. Three years later, she is a full-time DIYer, furniture refinisher, and painter. Using quality products and finishes, the upcycled furnishings she creates are noteworthy conversation pieces that are made to last and become staples in your home for years.

Mel’s services include selling refinished furniture pieces, custom furniture refinishing, and consulting and coaching services. She has a weekly podcast covering topics ranging from how to refinish a piece of furniture to sharing info she’s learned while running her business.

For more information and inspiration, find Mel at meldiditherself.ca, or tune into her podcast BusyBee Refinishing with Meldiditherself.

CAESARSTONE

Caesarstone launched its multi-material surfaces portfolio at this year’s Interior Design Show in Toronto. The Caesarstone display, entitled Juxtaposed, was designed by Brian Brown Studio and highlighted the beauty and diversity of the company’s new products. The expanded portfolio of more than 100 colours tastefully combines the company’s innovative technology with the functional resilience and timeless beauty that Caesarstone is known for.

A STORY OF RESILIENCE

Wine expert Natalie MacLean’s latest book, Wine Witch on Fire, is a coming-of-middle-age story about the author’s journey of self-discovery after divorce, defamation, and too much drinking.

Find out more at nataliemaclean.com/winewitch

JAGGED LITTLE PILL

Jagged Little Pill, The Musical, based on the album which skyrocketed Ottawa’s own Alanis Morissette to fame, is coming to town! The musical officially opened on Broadway in 2019 and, like the album, was wildly successful, garnering 15 Tony nominations — including Best Musical. For die-hard fans, Grand Central Publishing has released a hardcover coffee table book following the journey of Jagged Little Pill to Broadway.

In Ottawa, Jagged Little Pill will begin performances at the National Art Centre on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, for a one-week engagement through Sunday, June 4, 2023. Ticket buyers are reminded that Broadway Across Canada National Arts Centre box office and Ticketmaster are the only official retail ticket outlets for all performances at the NAC, ticketmaster.ca

GET OUT OF TOWN

Whether you’d like to hike, paddle and shop on a day trip, or set off on a longer getaway to unwind in a spa, explore the outdoors, or treat your kids to the big city, there are lots of options within easy reach of Ottawa.

FOR THE SPA FAN: THE LAURENTIANS

This scenic region north of Montreal is home to several Nordic-style spas, where you can meander around a circuit of saunas, hot tubs, and cold pools, then relax even further with a massage.

One of the largest retreats is the 6,700-square-metre Spa Scandinave, overlooking the Diable River on the edge of the Tremblant resort. Serenity seekers will enjoy this spa’s silence policy, while thrill seekers can swim in the often-nippy river.

Try the more intimate Ofuro Station Zen in Morin Heights for an Asian-themed twist on the spa concept. Pagodas, stone Buddhas, wooden Muskoka chairs, and the surrounding forest give this place a Kyoto-meets-cottage-country vibe.

FOR THE DAY-TRIPPER: KEMPTVILLE & MERRICKVILLE

These two communities just south of Ottawa offer more than enough to entertain any day tripper. You can start by fuelling up with coffee and pastries from Brewed Awakenings (2868 County Road 43, Kemptville). This cozy coffee shop is close to the Ferguson Forest Centre (friendsofthefergusonforest.com), where you can hike for free on 22 kilometres of trails or take your pooch to the centre’s dog park.

If canoeing and kayaking are more your style, begin at Bubba & Bugs coffee shop (bubbaandbugscoffee.com), then head a few blocks northeast to put your watercraft into Kemptville Creek from the boat launch in Curry Park.

After spending the morning in Kemptville, drive about 30 kilometres southeast to Merrickville’s cute village for some retail therapy. Try Pickle & Myrrh for handmade caramels, Mrs. McGarrigle’s for house-made mustards, and the Merrickville Cheese Shop (218 St. Lawrence Street) for traditional and vegan cheeses. Seeking something to spruce up your home? Drop into Gray Art Glass, where you can see glass blowers at work.

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY LAURA BYRNE PAQUET

DOWNTOWN KEMPTVIILLE

OFURO SPA — LAURENTIANS

FOR OUTDOOR FUN: THE ADIRONDACKS

The Adirondacks first sprang to fame in the late 1800s as a woodsy getaway for stressed-out Manhattanites.

These days, hikers flock there to tackle some or all of the 46 High Peaks — 46 mountains that are over 1,150 metres above sea level.

To learn about the region’s ecology, head to the Wild Center in Tupper Lake to take a short, guided canoe trip on the Raquette River or see the forest from above on a network of elevated platforms called the Wild Walk.

Lake Placid has hosted the Winter Olympic Games twice, in 1932 and 1980, and Olympians still train in the small, mountain-fringed town. And when athletes aren’t using them, the Olympic training sites offer some unique fun for visitors. For instance, you can hurtle downhill on a bobsled at Mt. Van Hoevenberg or see the landscape from a ski jumper’s sky-high perspective at the Olympic Jumping Complex.

FOR FAMILIES: TORONTO

Surprisingly, office tower-studded downtown Toronto is great for a family getaway. Just choose a hotel with good transit access, so you can avoid driving and paying often-exorbitant parking fees.

One good choice is the Chelsea Hotel. It’s just off Yonge Street, about halfway between the College and Dundas subway stations. Family-friendly amenities include a heated indoor pool with a 130-foot corkscrew waterslide, a kids’ centre with dress-up costumes and art supplies, and a teen lounge with classic arcade games, a pool table, and foosball.

Amusements within walking distance or a short subway ride of The Chelsea include the Hockey Hall of Fame, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, the Scotiabank Arena (home of the Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Maple Leafs), and the Rogers Centre (where the Toronto Blue Jays play).

The whole family will likely get a kick out of Little Canada, a collection of miniature, idealized dioramas of Canadian cities and regions. Tiny trains and cars whir around these scenes, and lighting effects simulate dawn, daytime, sunset, and dusk. Watching “fireworks” explode above a tiny, illuminated Centre Block is strangely captivating.

Looking for more ideas? Check out ottawaroadtrips.com or pick up Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100‑km Getaway Guide and Ottawa Road Trips: Your Weekend Getaway Guide.

© NYSDED — DARREN MCGEE

LITTLE CANADA, TORONTO

Brendan Kealey BROKER

Korey Kealey BROKER

Liam Kealey BROKER

“Spring is the time of plans and projects.”

Flowers are blooming and birds are chirping. There is no better time to update the interior and/or exterior of your home with the exclusive line of great products that Merkley has to o er. Whether it’s a special feature wall, outdoor kitchen or a custom fireplace in your living room, we will do our best to help create a home of exceptional beauty and style.

To view the latest selection in Stone and Masonry products, visit our web site and experience our showroom in virtual 3D format. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.

— Leo Tolstoy

RUN

FOR IT

BY CATHERINE CLARK instagram twitter @catherinejclark

Sara Kramers has been an athlete her entire life. Growing up in the small Ontario community of Seaforth, she played a wide variety of sports, and her mom often coached many of her teams.

“Looking back, I realize how lucky I was that she was that role model for me,” says Sara, who is now completing her PhD in Sport Psychology at the University of Ottawa, where her focus area is creating inclusive and meaningful sport spaces.

Sara knows all too well that girls’ participation in sports declines sharply in adolescence, and that’s for those lucky enough to have access to sports activities in the first place. So, when Sara heard that Ottawa would become the first Canadian location for an inspiring program called Girls on the Run, she knew she had to get involved.

The program, brought to Ottawa in 2021 by the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) Foundation, is designed to get girls active and give them a safe space to belong.

“We’re moving, we’re running around, but we’re also giving them opportunities to build their confidence and to learn communication and negotiating skills, so that not only will they feel they can play any sport and be active for their life, but they’ll have skills to rely on if something happens at school, at work, or in their friend group,” says Sara. “That way, when they encounter a challenge, they can say to themselves, ‘It’s ok, I’ve dealt with a challenge before, and I can do it again’.”

Each program ends with a 5-km race, but Sara points out that the race is not so much

a competition as an opportunity for the girls to set and meet a goal together, and it can be a profoundly moving experience. “People stand at the finish line crying because of how proud they are of these girls.”

Sara knows that the experience of sport — of being part of a team, of belonging and achieving a goal — can create lifelong leaders, which is why her commitment to Girls on the Run, despite a heavy academic schedule, is so important.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that our next generation has the opportunity to reach their potential and to nurture their voice — so as much as I’m looking towards the future for me, that future involves the futures of these young girls.”

For more info on Girls on the Run, contact info@girlsontherunottawa.ca

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TED SIMPSON (SHOT AT KAZAM GYMNASTICS)

Style with a side of fun

Colour and texture come together for spring and summer

BY MARY CIANCIBELLO @maryciancibellostyle

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIA PHOTOGRAPHY @tiamacpherson35

SEEING NEON GREEN?

All shades of green are having a real moment, and it’s the perfect way to welcome spring.

DRESS: SCHAD.CA

SHOES: ALDO

EARRINGS: ZARA, BAYSHORE SHOPPING CENTRE

PURSE: MELANIE LYNE, BAYSHORE SHOPPING CENTRE

SWAP IT OUT

Shoes that transform with the click of a heel are a fashion minimalist’s dream and great for traveling light too.

SANDALS AND REMOVABLE HEELS: TANYAHEATH.COM

WONDERFULLY WOVEN

Bags that provide the most beautiful woven textures will be everywhere this spring and summer.

CLUTCH: MELANIE LYNE FANNY BAG: SHOPVINCENT.CA

START FROM THE BOTTOM

…with bold colours like greens, pinks, yellows and oranges. Take your “fit” farther by creating a monochromatic look.

ORANGE AND GREEN PANTS: RW&CO.

PRETTY IN PATTERNS

Delicate or loud, colorful or subdued — elevate your look with a floral or check print.

CARDIGAN: MELANIE LYNE

DRESS: SHOPVINCENT.CA

FEARLESS WITH ACCESSORIES

Let unique and striking earrings do all the talking.

TASSEL FRINGE EARRINGS AND SPHERE EARRINGS: HOUSE12ACCESSORIES

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER NICOLE ROSE

@nicole_rose_photography

Nicole Rose suggests the easiest way to take a great photo of yourself with any type of camera is to use soft, even light. “The kind of light you find outside on a cloudy day or standing in front of a window when the sun isn’t directly shining on you,” Nicole explains, “or using a good quality, artificial ring light.” She also offers that no matter how amazing the quality of a good phone camera, it can never replace the guidance and experience of a professional photographer. “We communicate visually, so when it comes to capturing your photo, every detail within the frame matters in terms of what you are communicating about yourself. Camera angle, facial expression,

BY MELISSA SHABINSKY instagram @melissashabinsky

Whether it’s for personal or corporate branding, a post for your social media profile, or even an online dating app, looking camera‑ready has become a daily routine for most of us. We tapped into some local experts for advice on putting your best face forward.

body language and position, light direction, composition, use of colour, style and esthetic, head position, use of hands, photo editing — there are so many different tools a professional photographer will use to help you craft the image of yourself that you want to portray.”

Communicate with your photographer. “Tell them about yourself; why are you looking for professional images? Why now? How do you plan to use the images? What fears do you have about being in front of the camera? How do you envision your final images? Professional photographers are storytellers. They use a camera, instead of words or a paintbrush, to tell your story.”

Nicole suggests taking a few deep breaths to regulate your nervous system. “If you feel ‘disconnected’ from your body at any time during the shoot, pause and breathe.”

And her simplest tip for taking a selfie with a phone camera? “Hold the camera up to see your face on the screen and slowly spin in place. You’ll see how the light and shadows shift across your face, and you can choose the angle that lights you the best.”

FEEL GOOD TIPS FROM NICOLE

• Time the shoot for when you’re in a positive frame of mind.

• Ask a trusted friend to help choose the best photos from a professional shot.

• Practice makes progress — a great tool for helping you feel more comfortable being photographed is just to do it more often.

• Work with a professional photographer who can guide and encourage you throughout the shoot.

• Choose comfortable clothing that fits your body.

DIGITAL CREATOR AND AMAZON LIVE HOST JOUDEL JANOSKA

@joudelj

Joudel (Jodie) is no stranger to the camera as a digital creator and Amazon live host. She shoots most of her own content in her home studio. She has mastered the art of production, editing, and telling visual stories that connect with her audience across her various platforms.

Jodie offers that the perfect selfie is all about positioning and angle. “Hold the camera or phone at a slightly higher angle than the face, highlighting your jawline and making a face appear slimmer. Tilt the chin downwards and face slightly to the side to add dimension.” She also suggests that practice makes perfect and to take to the mirror before the camera.

MAKEUP ARTIST LYZ PLANT

@lyzplantmua

Lyz Plant says that the best photo or video on camera session starts with mindset. “Whether it’s a photoshoot, a TikTok, or Instagram Live, nothing beats relaxed confidence in your face.”

For makeup, she suggests that you don’t veer too far from what you do normally. “I show up online without makeup often. Nobody ‘needs’ it. But when you want that extra something, my top go-to includes a glowy undereye concealer to bounce light, your tightline done (a liner placement that makes your lashes look thicker), mascara (lashes curled where needed) and a tinted lip balm for every day.”

Her pro product go-to? Blot papers. “They take the edge off oil-wise and work great for foreheads/temples during summer. It’s just paper; it won’t expire, so leave one in your purse and car; you’ll feel (and look) so much more refreshed, especially during those humid summer days.”

And her makeup no-no’s? “I find that some people can over-powder, depending on your skin type. But in the winter months and as we age, a little glow will do wonders for our skin to look great on camera.” And most importantly: blend, blend, blend.

She offers one last tip: “Pull all of your hair to the front. The camera is upfront, and your hair will look much fuller.”

Creative Expression

BY OLIVIA TAGGART PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARLES HOPPNER & STEFANIA BOUROS

For music performer Lady Charles, the idea of ambiguity is where they were born. The Ottawa musician got their start in school coffee houses at age ten and moved to playing in high school bands as a singer, guitarist, and drummer. In university, they focused on sonics and production. After releasing a string of self-recorded records, they began to get noticed and were featured in music blogs like Silent Shout and BlogTO. During the pandemic, they began to dig into the ambiguous persona they felt naturally drawn to.

Can you describe your music and the performing aspect of it? What are your shows like?

My music is inspired by classic rock, indie CanRock from the 2000s, hip hop, and classical. I like blending different sounds and moods and creating layered and unpredictable compositions. In a live setting, I like to blend in theatricality, fashion, drag influence, and dance — I’ve always been fond of art that breaks the barriers between genres and appeals to multiple senses simultaneously.

Can you share a bit about your Ottawa life and how you got to where you are now?

I grew up in Stittsville, went to university in Toronto, lived briefly in Montreal, and now I live in Ottawa in Centretown. Having lived in large cities, small suburban towns, and now in Ottawa proper, I appreciate that we’re a smaller, kind of underestimated city for music.

Ottawa is a beautiful, underrated place. The things that make it boring to many make Ottawa a pretty unique city. I think the perspective I gained being in a place that is rural, urban, and suburban and has multiple official languages and so many different cultures has been really important to my writing.

What music do you listen to? Where do you find inspiration?

I grew up on David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, the Beatles, and Prince, and they’re still all very important to me. In high school, I was also into the indie rock that was popular at the time — people like Feist, Metric, Late of the Pier, MGMT, Of Montreal — and later, I got big into hip hop and some outsider pop. I’m pretty into a lot of contemporary pop too. The music industry is in such chaos that a lot of the chart-toppers are people who blew up before being signed, so there’s a bit more variety and excitement in my mind when you have people like Dorian Elektra filling the space that used to be occupied by artists who were developed by a label and often chosen for a pretty narrow view of what was marketable.

Are you Lady Charles? Or is Lady Charles a band name?

I am Lady Charles, but Lady Charles isn’t me if that makes sense. It’s a persona closer to the real me than I think many people would realize. It’s not a drag persona, for example, but it’s definitely exaggerated and romanticized in the way that my favourite rock artists’ public personae are. There’s Mick Jagger, the phenomenon, and Mick Jagger, the person, for example, and they’re not entirely separate but not entirely the same. I’m not trying to compare myself to one of the most amazing frontmen of all time; just pointing out that even artists who use their own names aren’t really being themselves in a literal sense. I love that about rock and roll. It’s fun, strutting, showing off, and living a fantasy. But fundamentally, this is a solo project, and I play most of the instruments on the albums.

Let’s Dish

with Akil Mesiwala of The Box of Life

BY PAULA ROY

It’s been said that necessity is the mother of invention and that adage has proven true for Ottawa’s Akil Mesiwala, founder of The Box of Life. He was looking for a new career opportunity while also reflecting on what he could do to have a sizeable impact on mitigating climate change. His solution was to create a business capitalizing on vermicomposting — an innovative system for effortless indoor food waste recycling.

WHAT WAS THE SPARK THAT LED YOU TO FOUND YOUR BUSINESS?

I had often dreamed of starting a worm farming business as I had been vermicomposting at home for several years and couldn’t believe how easy and effective it is at processing food waste. Because municipal composting programs are not available for all households, a lot of scraps are still going into the garbage. Composting with worms is an effortless process — if more people knew about this, it could significantly reduce the methane produced by everexpanding landfills.

WHAT IS YOUR PRIMARY PRODUCT, AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Worm Studio is an attractive, scalable cedar worm farm that converts food waste into superior compost in under a month, with minimal effort and no unpleasant aromas. It’s a fun family activity and a great way to teach kids about the environment, all while building sustainable composting habits. You just feed the worms chopped-up food scraps, and they do all the work.

WHAT WAS ONE KEY LESSON YOU LEARNED AS YOU STARTED THE BUSINESS?

The initial focus for The Box of Life was just waste diversion, but I have since realized that vermiculture is also about healing our soil. The food grown and consumed today is less nutritious due to all the awful things going into the land. Composting is part of good biodiversity and regenerative agriculture and can help protect our environment because healthy soil is much better at absorbing and storing carbon from the atmosphere.

WHEN YOU ARE PREPARING FOOD FOR YOURSELF, DO YOU EVER FIND YOURSELF THINKING ABOUT YOUR WORMS?

In the early days, I did think about how the worms would love what I was about to feed them. I even started eating more fruits and vegetables because

I wanted to give the worms the best food possible. It also changed the way I purchased food — I got much more into cooking from scratch.

WHY IS MAINTAINING A WORM STUDIO IDEAL FOR A CLASSROOM PROJECT?

Our objective is to offer a living, teachable solution for climate change and share it with students from Grade 1 through Grade 12. The worm studio helps teach the curriculum, real-life science connections and math; it also fosters an emotional connection to the worms. We hope young people will learn skills that they can take into adulthood so they will continue to think about waste, how to love nature, and how to care for our planet.

WHAT OTHER PRODUCTS DO YOU OFFER?

We have a small-scale Bucket of Life worm farm and our larger Bench of Life; it’s ideal for multiple users, and we will start installing them in community gardens. We will launch a rental program to expand composting to the office and industrial sectors. We also offer workshops — both our own and those delivered by other businesses with a sustainability mindset.

For more information: theboxoflife.com

BY KOREY KEALEY instagram @KoreyKealey twitter @foodthought

from the Past Blast

Pineapple upside down cake: A true classic that never fails to delight. Using a cast iron pan creates a caramelized golden crust to the cake. Make eight individual cakes using 8 oz ramekins; reduce baking time to 15–18 minutes or until golden and firm to the touch.

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup (57 g) butter

¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar

1 can (398 mL) pineapple slices, patted dry (about 8)

8 maraschino cherries

CAKE:

½ cup (114 g) butter, softened

¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar

½ cup (120 g) plain yogurt or sour cream

2 large eggs

1 tsp (5 mL) pure vanilla extract

1¼ cups (150 g) all-purpose flour

½ tsp each: baking powder, baking soda, and salt

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Butter an 8 inch round cake pan; add ¼ cup butter and ¾ cup brown sugar.

2. Place pan in oven and cook until butter is melted (about 5 minutes) then reduce heat to 350°F (177°C). Combine melted butter and sugar until smooth and evenly distributed on bottom of pan. Arrange pineapple rings in bottom of the hot pan, overlapping if necessary; place a maraschino cherry in centre of each pineapple ring.

3. Beat butter, sugar, yogurt, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl. Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; beat at medium speed until fluffy.

4. Spoon batter evenly over pineapple and cherries. (You may want to place the cake pan on a baking sheet to catch any overflow of the caramel sauce).

5. Bake 25–30 minutes or until cake is a deep golden colour and firm to the touch. (Note: baking time will vary with the type of pan used— cast iron will bake more quickly). Let cool for 5 minutes on a rack. Run a knife around the edge of the cake, invert onto a plate to remove from the pan. Replace any pineapple or cherries that may have stuck to the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Bake time: 25 minutes

KOREY’S TIP IF USING FRESH PINEAPPLE, SLICE INTO ½ INCH THICK RINGS.

PHOTO BY MARK HOLLERON

METHOD

1. Rinse asparagus spears in cool water. Snap off the woody ends at their natural breaking point. Pour a kettle full of boiling water into a heatproof dish with a lid (use a skillet if need be) large enough to hold the asparagus in a single layer. Add the asparagus and cover the dish, making sure there is enough boiling water to cover them by at least a half inch (1.25 cm). After 8 minutes, test the asparagus for doneness by poking the tip of a sharp knife into a stem; it should be just tender. Thicker stalks may need a little more time.

Asparagus, smoked salmon & goat cheese rolls

INGREDIENTS

12 spears fresh asparagus, of uniform thickness if possible

⅓ cup (80 g) goat cheese, softened (cream cheese can be used as well)

Finely grated zest of ½ lemon

2 teaspoons (10 mL) fresh lemon juice

This appetizer gets rave reviews every time I serve it. It’s as delicious as it is beautiful and can be made ahead of time.

1 teaspoon (.65 g) finely minced green onion (white part only)

Salt and pepper

4 ounces (115 grams) thinly sliced smoked salmon

Handful of fresh dill

Thin lemon slices, for garnish

For more of Paula’s recipes, visit her website, constantlycooking.com, or tune into Paula Roy’s Favourite Foods on Rogers TV. Now in its fourth season, the show airs several times each week in Ottawa and southwestern Ontario.

2. Remove the asparagus from the warm water and run it under very cold water to stop the cooking process. Place the spears on a clean towel and dry them gently.

3. While asparagus cooks, stir together the goat cheese, lemon zest, juice, minced green onion, and a few pinches of salt and pepper.

4. Separate the smoked salmon slices, then cut into 12 pieces about 1 inch by 2.5 inches (2.5 cm by 6.25 cm) each.

5. To assemble, cut each asparagus spear in half crosswise, then lay two pieces of asparagus side by side and top with a heaping teaspoon of the goat cheese mixture, placed in the middle. Lay a sprig of dill on top of the goat cheese.

6. Wrap one piece of the cut smoked salmon around the goat cheese covered portion of the pair of asparagus pieces, folding the ends to the underside. Press gently so the salmon adheres to the cream cheese.

7. Lay the first bundle on a serving platter and repeat with remaining spears.

8. If not serving immediately cover the platter and refrigerate for up to 8 hours before serving.

9. Immediately before serving, garnish with lemon slices.

Makes 12 rolls; recipe can easily be multiplied.

RECIPE & PHOT0 BY PAULA ROY instagram twitter @paulajroy

ottawa’s new entertainment district

BY PAULA ROY

Reigniting excitement in Ottawa’s downtown is top of mind for a group of hospitality businesses. They banded together several months ago in a grassroots initiative to designate the area called SoPa (South of Parliament) as the city’s entertainment district. With dozens of restaurants, bars, hotels, and entertainment venues, SoPa is hoping this rebranding exercise will breathe new life into the area — from Wellington Street, in front of Parliament Hill, south to Nepean Street, with Elgin and Bay Streets as the eastern and western boundaries — and make it more popular than ever for locals and tourists alike. SoPa co-organizer Devinder Chaudhary of Aiana Restaurant Collective notes that the diversity and walkability of the district are two of its biggest selling points. “It would be wonderful if we get to a point when tourists come to Ottawa, stay at a SoPa hotel, take in a show at the NAC and have dinner at

one of SoPa’s amazing restaurants, then go home and talk about how vibrant and accessible the area is,” he says. “We look forward to these people being ambassadors for the area’s organic growth in awareness.”

Once the initiative gains some traction, organizers are looking forward to working collaboratively with the city and Ottawa Tourism for support on signage or banners to help delineate the district. While there are scores of businesses in total throughout the area, Devinder notes that the initial focus is on the collection of hospitality-related establishments mentioned on these pages, which have banded together to promote the SoPa concept. The eventual goal for SoPa is to have the entire district well-known as a thriving micro-economy within the nation’s capital, with artisans, booksellers, clothiers, and other sectors represented as well.

FINE DINING

• Aiana Restaurant Collective

• Beckta Dining and Wine

• Grounded Kitchen, Coffee & Bar

• Metropolitain Brasserie

• North and Navy

• Riviera

• Thali

• 1Elgin

SPOTLIGHT:

COCOTTE BISTRO

Cocotte, in the newly-renovated Metcalfe Hotel, part of the prestigious Gray Collection, is the Canadian expression of a classic French bistro. It offers a fresh, contemporary dining and drinking experience. Given its location, Cocotte has quickly become a favoured spot for business lunches, special occasions, neighbourhood get-togethers, and brunch. Executive Chef Stephen La Salle enjoys showcasing great Canadian products like sustainable seafood from all three of our oceans, Ontario cured meats, PEI and Quebec cheeses, Quebec-raised meats, mustard from the Prairies, and more. The diverse and appealing menu includes traditional bistro fare such as albacore tuna Niçoise and PEI moules et frites; their meat and fish tartares have become fast favourites too. The menu, which always includes vegetarian and vegan options, is dynamic with the seasons.

ENTERTAINMENT VENUES

• Afterlight

• City at Night

• Live on Elgin

• Mulligans Golf Bar

• National Arts Centre

• Queen St. Fare

CASUAL DINING, BARS & PUBS

• Bar Robo

• Bier Markt

• Brown’s Social House

• Clocktower Brew Pub

• D’Arcy McGee’s

• Izakaya Shingen

• Le Moulin de Provence KD

• Nando’s PERi-PERi

• OCCO Kitchen & Bar

• Orchid Sushi

• Paradise Poke

• Plate Gastropub

• Sansotei Ramen

SPOTLIGHT: STOLEN GOODS COCKTAIL BAR

Stolen Goods is a chic twenty-seat cocktail bar focusing on sustainable and local ingredients. The vibe is very intimate and personal as every night, guests are served and fed by all of the establishment’s owners — Mike Campbell (general manager), Adam Ghor (chef), and Raymond Tang (bartender). The decor is minimal, classy, and dimly lit in the later evening until their 2 am daily closing. Every aspect of the operation is thoughtful and intentional, from menu art to bathroom music to inventive cuisine, presented with warmth and flair. A seat at the bar is your best bet to take in all the action as some of the city’s most innovative cocktails and exquisitely flavourful small plates from a constantly evolving menu are prepared.

STOLEN GOODS,

PHOTO BY MATT MILLARD

COCOTTE BISTRO, PHOTO BY MARK HOLLERON

PLACES TO STAY

• Alt Hotel

• Arc The Hotel

• Delta Hotels by Marriott Ottawa City Centre

• Fairmont Château Laurier

• Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Downtown

• Holiday Inn Ottawa Downtown

• Lord Elgin Hotel

• Metcalfe Hotel

• Ottawa Marriott Hotel

SPOTLIGHT: RESTAYS

This boutique condo-style hotel offers 111 elegant suites in various configurations, many of which have balconies and/or terraces. Each has a fully equipped kitchen and the hotel includes luxurious amenities such as a private theatre, tranquil inner courtyard, a fitness centre, and its SkyLounge overlooking Parliament Hill. Ideal for short or extended stays, hotel guests can opt to enjoy the luxury of having their fridges filled by the hotel’s 24/7 concierge team, explains general manager Andreas Spove. Similarly, guests can book the unforgettable experience of savouring a meal prepared in-suite by a top chef. Andreas says they currently have a rotating roster of chefs offering personalized, attentive service with a variety of inspired menus; they plan to expand the service as it is becoming so popular.

METCALFE HOTEL, PHOTO BY MARK HOLLERON

by nature Lush

One of the top trends for 2023 is the nature inspired bathroom. Plants often thrive in moist spaces with just the right amount of sunlight. Add natural made accessories and stick with a neutral palette to let colour from the plants dominate, creating a room that breathes life.

UPGRADE YOUR LIFE