FALL’S WARM MOOD
Cozy Spaces, Rich Hues & Inspiring Home Décor
Make time for what matters most
Being there means everything.
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CONTENTS
How to create a bedroom that is calm, serene and sleep-friendly. BY
SUSAN HOLLIS
CUSTOM COASTAL LIVING
A dark, dated 1970s home gets a bright, contemporary update while preserving its soul. BY DAVID LENNAM
SPRUCE IT UP
Fall for your home: A retro light returns; vintage-inspired faucets; seasonal colours; how to prep your garden for winter; and more.
16 THE HOME EDIT
The right rug can remake any space, even when it’s round. BY
DAVID LENNAM
Romance and English traditions transform a cramped kitchen into an eye-catching jewel. BY DANIELLE POPE
Forget yesterday’s stark whites and cool greys. The new neutrals are warm, earthy and welcoming.
SIMONE PAGET
The mudroom is more than an entry. Here’s how to make it both stylish and functional. BY DANIELLE POPE 50
Planning to sell? Why you should update your kitchen and bath. BY SHANNON MONEO 56 DESIGN
Reeded and fluted glass is having a groovy moment. BY JOANNE SASVARI 58 FINISHING TOUCH
The hood vent takes its place as the kitchen’s centrepiece.
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Going Bold: Elevate Your Cozy
Fall is that magical time when the air turns crisp, our homes become cozy sanctuaries and out come the warm blankets, the rustic wood accents, a strategic bouquet of dried grasses and just the right candle on the coffee table.
What if this year, though, we dared to go a bit bolder?
Combining the comfort of the season with elevated elements can add a twist to the traditional that speaks to you.
Fabrics and colours could be your starting point. Velvet has made a huge comeback this year, and it’s easy to envision sinking into that velvet sofa with a steaming cup of tea — or cuddling with velvet pillows in deep jewel tones, flanked by a throw in emerald green, sapphire blue or burgundy. Pair these with the sheepskin rug you found on Salt Spring Island over the summer, and your space will be one you can’t wait to touch.
Lighting is another way to make a bold statement. Instead of sticking with those traditional lamps, go for the dramatic — a wrought-iron chandelier, a pendant in crystal or brass, or wood-themed wall sconces with sleek, contemporary designs.
While wood furniture will always be timeless, adding a few modern items can enliven a space, right when you’re about to spend more time indoors. Your next great conversation starter could be a statement armchair with metallic accents, a sleek coffee table with a live edge or just a fresh
FIND YOUR INSPIRATION
set of brass hardware to glam up an old desk. Picture frames, vases and even candle holders in fresh finishes can make your home feel more sophisticated.
Don’t forget the multidimensional support those candles can offer in creating a vibe. Rich, warm scents like amber, sandalwood or vanilla evoke a luxurious atmosphere — even one that looks lived in.
This edition of Spruce will offer even more inspiration to stoke your senses, from mudroom makeovers (see This Room) and selecting the perfect rug (The Home Edit), to a look at creating bedrooms built for sleep and an overview of the “new” neutrals. One home renovation reveals how a gloomy residence transformed into a sunlit suite, while another shifts a dated kitchen into a modern English country revival.
We take a deep dive into intentional rental builds, examine rooms that help to sell a home and explore when statement stone works for a space.
Incorporating “luxe” doesn’t have to mean abandoning the cozy-cabin feel we love. It’s about making your home as warm and as stunningly “you” as possible. It is, after all, the perfect season to relax in style.
Danielle Pope, Editor
There’s nothing like a home show for learning about everything from eavestroughs to the latest design trends. This fall sees three must-attend events in Victoria and Vancouver; pop them into your calendar now.
Interior Design Show Vancouver (September 26 to 29, Vancouver Convention Centre West): The West Coast’s biggest and best showcase of local, national and international design is all about inspiration. interiordesignshow.com
Victoria Fall Home Show (October 18 to 20, Pearkes Community Rec Centre): For 38 years, this free event has been the one-stop resource for Victorians looking to connect with experts who can make their home improvement visions come to life. homeshowtime. com/fall-shows/victoria-fall-home-show/
Vancouver Fall Home Show (October 24 to 27, Vancouver Convention Centre West): Hundreds of home-improvement experts gather to inform and entertain, including national stars like HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler. vancouverfallhomeshow.com
Sotheby's International Realty Canada, Independently Owned and Operated
PUBLISHERS Lise Gyorkos, Georgina Camilleri
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joanne Sasvari
EDITOR Danielle Pope
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Jeffrey Bosdet
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ASSOCIATE GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Kelly Hamilton, Caroline Segonnes
ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Deana Brown, Jennifer Dean Van Tol, Cynthia Hanischuk, Brenda Knapik
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MARKETING & EVENTS
CO-ORDINATOR Lauren Ingle
PROOFREADER Lionel Wild
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Susan Hollis, David Lennam, Shannon Moneo, Simone Paget, Nessa Pullman
CONTRIBUTING
PHOTOGRAPHERS Dasha Armstrong, James Jones, Mary McNeill Knowles
CONTRIBUTING AGENCIES Getty Images p. 12, 14, 18, 50, 51; Living4Media p. 22, 24, 28, 29, 30, 33; Pexels p. 24; Unsplash p. 26, 28, 33
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ON THE COVER
An Emerald-Green Gem. See page 34.
Photo by Mary McNeill Knowles
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COOL DAYS AHEAD
Light Up the Night
When Danish designer Louis Weisdorf introduced his ingenious Multi-Lite Table Lamp in 1972, it became an instant classic, beloved for its playful flexibility and adaptability. Now GUBI has worked with the designer’s family to create an all-new version that’s even more functional, but just as stylishly sculptural. The lightweight, compact GUBI Multi-Lite Portable Lamp has an integrated USB-charging light that incorporates a touch-activated dimmer, while the signature ring around the lamp doubles as a handle. Consider it a designer-approved way to shed light on these darkening fall nights. Available at thehouseofchester.com
Bath Time
Fall’s Hot Hues
Pantone made a promise at the beginning of the year to bring familiarity and comfort into this year’s selections, and the fall palette does not disappoint.
The colour experts’ top picks for the season include Tomato Cream (PANTONE 16-1348 TCX), Fern (PANTONE 16-0430 TCX) and the high-energy Red Orange (PANTONE 17-1464 TCX). Experts are calling fall 2024’s hues a lively mix of functional and adaptable colours made to support our increasingly hybridized way of living. The shades are as satisfying as warm soup on a cold day.
When you have a turn-of-the-lastcentury home — or just wish you did — it’s not always easy to find the right fittings for it, especially in the bathroom. Luckily, there’s the Gold Antique Victoria-Style Deck Mount Bathtub Filler by Sani Canada, which combines vintage style with contemporary function, including a waterfall spout and dual handle control. Available in finishes ranging from chrome to gold to orb (black), this faucet adds drama to any tub.
Available at sanicanada.com
Fern Red Orange
Tomato Cream
Clockwise from left: Sven sofa in Napa Moss, Article; Doux throw pillow in Smoked Green, CB2; Benjamin Moore’s Piñata 007; Ojai leather accent chair, Crate & Barrel.
Sani Canada bathtub filler in orb (above) and gold pours on chic vintage style.
Fall is a season of cozy celebration, of harvest dinners, Halloween parties and Thanksgiving feasts, so plan to make your table as welcoming as you are. Set it with table linens in warm earth tones of sage, wine or bronze. Add centrepieces of autumn leaves, beeswax candles, orange or purple chrysanthemums and piles of tiny, colourful gourds. Set out goldenhued cutlery and serving utensils, as well as cranberry-coloured or goldrimmed glassware. And then add a whimsical note with themed seasonal dishware. Spode and Portmerion harvest patterns are classic, but we’re especially charmed by Williams Sonoma’s Thanksgiving tableware, which includes a porcelain platter that’s not only painted with a turkey, it’s big enough to hold one (see above). And who can resist these adorable stoneware gourd salt and pepper shakers from Pottery Barn (below)? williams-sonoma.ca, potterybarn.ca
Paint Without the Guesswork
Paint may be one of the easiest ways to update a room — or your whole home — but committing to a new colour can take painstaking hours of paint swatching, light tests, even couples counselling. One local company is easing the decision burden by taking the guesswork away.
Bright Cloud Designs, a small illustration and graphic design company in Colwood, is helping the colour curious sample technical paint colours through the group’s digital mock-up service. The service allows people to visualize what a colour would look like in real time — and consider how it works with the existing features that can’t be as easily changed.
The company is the brainchild of Cara Lightman, who completely revamped her 1970 bi-level home using only paint.
“Paint is the most affordable and accessible tool to make big changes in any space,” she says. “And there is often little budget left to make changes once a home is purchased.”
brightclouddesigns.com
Bright Cloud Designs uses a digital tool to show how different colour combinations — like the varying shades of grey shown here — will look in your space before you paint.
“PAINT IS THE MOST AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TOOL TO MAKE BIG CHANGES IN ANY SPACE.”
Get Your Garden Ready for Winter
From September through November, prep for the chilly days ahead by tackling these essential garden tasks.
Vegetables:
Remove plant debris, put away stakes and other accessories, then add a thick layer of compost. This is also a good time to set up new raised beds.
Gardening gear:
Clean hand tools, sharpen and oil any blades, drain hoses and gas lines, then store your gear in a safe, dry, covered space until spring.
Trees and shrubs: Replenish mulch and keep watering. Prune deciduous species after the leaves have fallen. Use tree wraps or guards to protect them from hungry deer. Plant deciduous species, but take care to stake them to protect against winter winds.
Annuals: Clean out flower beds. Collect and store seeds. Consider growing cuttings indoors.
Lawn: Rake up fallen leaves. Seed or lay sod. Aerate. Keep on top of weeds, which love fall’s cooler temps.
Scratch Resistance
If you garden in Greater Victoria, chances are good that at some point you will be pruning roses, cutting back blackberry or raspberry canes, and/or clearing brush. For that you need really sturdy, protective, puncture-proof gloves. Actually, make those gauntlets, because they should come high enough on your arm to protect you from twigs and thorns and all the bitey things that hide among them.
Regular gardening gloves won’t do; instead, consider something like the rose gloves from Lee Valley. These are made from natural pigskin, which offers good puncture resistance while still being flexible and, over time, conforming to the shape of your hand. The cuffs are also extra long, going almost up to the elbow, so you can reach among those brambles with confidence. Rose gloves are available in both men’s and women’s sizes. leevalley.com
Perennials: Stop deadheading and trimming, but keep weeding and watering. Discard any diseased or pest-ridden bits (but not in the compost; you don’t want to spread problems through the garden). Mulch.
Bulbs: Plant spring blooms like tulips, daffs and crocuses in late September or October.
Defend yourself from thorns with a tough pair of puncture-proof gloves like these ones from Lee Valley.
COOL COASTAL CHIC
Who doesn’t love the opportunity to peek behind their neighbours’ very stylish doors? This fall’s release of Reside: Contemporary West Coast Houses by Dr. Michael J. Prokopow (Figure 1 Publishing, 2024) offers the chance to do exactly that. Enjoy gorgeous photos of nearly three dozen homes around B.C. that capture the light-infused, nature-inspired esthetic of West Coast Modernism, as the author explores how the style is evolving today.
STYLE WITH A LITTLE ROMANCE
Do you know what’s behind your walls? Protect your investment from the start. NZ Builders will repair your home with high-quality materials and proven methods to ensure a healthy, durable living space.
Creating deeply personal connections in the spaces where we live, work and love has long been a mission of author Haskell Harris. In his new book The House Romantic: Curating Memorable Interiors for a Meaningful Life (Harry N. Abrams, 2024), Harris explores what makes a meaningful home, and how professionals authentically style their spaces, drawing from the most important moments in their lives. The work features 17 homes of creatives and designers around the world, and how they embrace romanticism in interior design.
Healthy homes aren’t just pretty countertops and paint. Trust our high-quality workmanship and proven methods to ensure a smart renovation ROI.
BY DAVID LENNAM
Fashion Underfoot
SIMPLE, DARING, COMFORTING — RUGS REALLY DO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR
STYLE.
Cala Warm White hand-knotted New Zealand wool area rug, CB2
When my wife brought home a circular blue rug with a print of a blue-eyed leopard and announced this was to be the focal piece of our tiny living room, I was more than skeptical.
I stomped around a bit in a dramatic fuss. “We can’t have a round rug! This is a square room,” I complained while she unfurled the soft wool rug like someone ready to raise it as a flag.
I was stunned. It looked gorgeous. And the shape is sublime. Elaine Balkwill, owner/designer with Luxe Home Interiors, gets it.
“Powerful pieces of art on the floor,” she says. “It’s a different way of expressing what your idea of design is — what speaks to you in your space.”
I thought it was going to be a bit show-offy, but this round rug, as bold as its colour and pattern are, makes this small room appear larger.
Balkwill explains that a rug (not just a round one) changes the shape of a room and grounds individual spaces, especially in an open-concept home.
“If you’re wanting to create some definition between your seating areas, your dining room, your living room, that’s a nice and easy way to do so.”
But exercise some caution, she says.
“I think round rugs add interest, but a round rug needs to be placed correctly. Otherwise it looks like you’ve just dropped it there and it looks like it doesn’t belong.” Because the circular shape naturally guides the eye, round rugs should be placed under a seating area or table to define a space and create a focal point in the room.
Warm and soft underfoot, rugs deaden sound and accessorize whatever else surrounds them, says Balkwill, especially when a room full of neutral furniture and a similar colour palette is highlighted by a gorgeous rug.
There’s the notion of letting a rug tie it all together. For Balkwill, the rug is often the last element she’ll add when designing a room. She chooses the bigger pieces first — sofas, chairs, fabrics — then picks a rug to complement their colours and textures.
While that staple-of-the-’70s shag might be less popular today, there’s a trend towards finer pile (not quite as thick) rugs. Think Scandinavian utilitarian and relatively thin, but crafted from natural fibres. Patterns favour organic shapes, though geometrics are still strong. And black and white, like a checkerboard, appears to be having its moment.
Two other things to consider: how much money and care you want to invest.
A hand-knotted five-by-eight-foot rug can cost up to $10,000, while a machine-made rug the same size might only be $1,500, or even less.
“They look the same, but don’t act the same,” qualifies Balkwill. “When a rug is hand-knotted you’ve got a pair of hands tying each individual square knot. You may see some imperfections, but that’s the beauty of having someone construct a rug by hand.”
Balkwill also says that owners aren’t always aware of how much care a rug needs.
For instance, natural fibres like wool (still the gold standard for a rug), will fade more quickly than synthetic, so you should consider turning a wool rug if it gets a lot of sunlight.
“And we do get clients that tell us, ‘My rug is shedding. It’s six months later and it’s still shedding.’ Well, that’s a sign of good quality.”
Whatever you choose, a rug will add comfort and art to any space, even if it is a round rug in a square room.
The Right Rug
Let your style dictate rug choice, whether it’s a long runner for a hardwood hallway, a soft mat to set your feet on when you get out of bed or a velvety statement piece in front of the fireplace. There are endless patterns, styles, materials and shapes to ponder, but one way of breaking it down is this:
Vintage. Think classic Turkish or Persian with hand-knotted patterns. Luxurious heirloom quality. (Rhapsody rug, Jaipur Living available at Luxe Home Interiors)
Dhurrie. Economical and ideal for hightraffic areas. Sturdy and humble. And, in cotton, machine washable. (Burdock Dhurrrie rug, Ten Thousand Villages)
Natural. Could be an animal hide, but more likely wool, jute or even silk. Rugged and durable. (Clem Arch cream rug, Article)
Printed. Machine-woven, generally inexpensive, essentially silkscreen prints on a blank rug. (Coen Check black and ivory rug, Ruggable)
THIS ROOM
BY DANIELLE POPE
Mudroom Makeover
HOW TO STYLE THIS BUSY COLLECTION SPOT WHILE KEEPING CLUTTER TO A MINIMUM
Ann Squires Ferguson loves what she calls the beautiful chaos of life. Nowhere in the home does this feel more real than amid the comings and goings of a mudroom.
“We forget that when we are vulnerable we are giving a gift to the people we let in,” says Squires Ferguson. “We’re saying that we trust them with our less-than-perfect lives — with our beautiful chaos — and that’s an honour.”
Squires Ferguson, CEO of Western Design+Build, likes to start with this because, as she says, it’s important to realize that not all our spaces have to feel “perfect” to be perfectly functional.
Her own home is a good example.
While the house came with a mudroom, it wasn’t until her family had been living there for a while that they realized how useless the room was.
“It had a bench that was too high, unusable corners, not enough space,” she says.
As a result, people would pass right through and soon the library at the front of the house became the catch-all for their clutter. They decided to lean into it and transformed that library into a foyer large enough to suit their family’s needs.
“The library looked great, but no one used it, so that became the mudroom. The then-mudroom has become a pantry, and it works really well for that,” she says. “It’s not pretty yet, but it’s super functional.”
FINDING FUNCTION
Wendy Taylor knows something about bringing function into a space that isn’t working.
“Mudrooms are super fun to design, and they are very specific to each client,” says Taylor, design and development co-ordinator with Green Island Builders. “One of the first things we do is ask a tonne of questions: Is it a front or back entry? Are kids, pets or sports involved? Do you want a charging station for the phone, treats or go bags for people running out of the house?”
There are functional choices, like whether to have open or closed storage — one of which can save time, while the other may keep pets protected. It’s important to know if you’re a family that drops gear and laundry at the door or if there are organizational areas elsewhere in the house.
“The simple formula is: The more items you have and the more people in your home, the bigger the space you need to make this area work for you,” says Taylor.
There might be the ideal wish list — a petwashing station, space to store hockey equipment — and then there’s the realistic parameters of what your home can accommodate. Even if it looks bare minimum, there are usually simple ways to improve functionality.
“If you have tonnes of stuff and four kids, can you put just seasonal things in the space, rather than everything for the whole year?” says Taylor.
IKEA
ACCEPTING REALITY
There’s something to be said for accommodating the needs of your family.
While Taylor loves a minimalist look — white oak on the walls, an integrated bench, toned-down terrazzo on the floor and a full-length mirror — she also appreciates that every mudroom depends on the people who use it.
For instance, Squires Ferguson and her son are very precise (with matching wall hangers and organized baskets), but her husband and daughter “file things horizontally.”
“It’s a lesson, really, in how different we all are, and how we can make space for that,” says Squires Ferguson. “The mudroom is probably one of those spaces that will never quite look the way they do in a magazine. It’s a liminal space — a space between spaces. It’s where all the messiness lives. And we all need those spaces.”
Taylor has worked on projects of both extremes. For one client, she designed a front “guest entry” made for the homeowner to showcase her best hats and jackets, complete
“IT’S A LIMINAL SPACE — A SPACE BETWEEN SPACES. IT’S WHERE ALL THE MESSINESS LIVES. AND WE ALL NEED THOSE SPACES.”
with coat racks and a powder room dedicated to visitors. That homeowner’s lower mudroom hosted the collection of family bikes and acted as a holding space for wetsuits, lockers and all things sport.
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In another project, a small “runway” mudroom could only be separated using a differentiating rug, a small floating shelf for keys and a strategically placed stool for putting on shoes.
“It’s a really personal choice what belongs in a mudroom,” says Taylor. “Your lifestyle will dictate that.”
Or as Squires Ferguson says: “The truth is in the name: Let it be muddy. Should you be so lucky to have a messy, chaotic life, what a gift to be able to use it.”
IDEAS & ESSENTIALS
How to make your mudroom pretty and practical.
Durable flooring and mats: Opt for easy-to-clean materials that can withstand heavy traffic and moisture. (Ceramic tiles and rubber mats are good choices.)
Hooks: Install a variety of hooks at different heights to accommodate coats, hats, keys or leashes for every family member. For a whimsical touch, use fun, colourful, mismatched or antique hooks and knobs.
Storage bins and baskets: Use labelled bins for organizing smaller items, like gloves, to make getting out the door fast and easy. Bring in storage with visual intrigue, like old crates, vintage lockers or repurposed furniture.
Storage bench: A sturdy bench with storage underneath is a perfect stop for putting on shoes, and also hides away clutter.
Boot tray: Have a designated area for wet shoes and boots to keep mud contained.
Message board: A check-out board will give family members a place to look for notes.
Mirror: Hang a full- or partiallength mirror for that final look before leaving the house.
Personalized cubbies: Assign each family member a cubby for their daily items.
Pattern paraphernalia: Choose rugs and mats that hide dirt and use colour to section off the space.
Go station: Whether you have kids, pets or athletes in your family, create a dedicated spot for grab-and-go supplies such as snacks, sunscreen and quick cleanup gear.
Photo wall: Create a rotating gallery of family photos or artwork to make the space feel welcoming and new.
Clockwise from top: 1 Modern farmhouse entryway set, Pottery Barn. 2 Sadie wall hooks, West Elm; 3 Colourful, handmade ceramic wall hooks, June Child Ceramics Etsy store; 4 MidCentury Asymmetrical wood mirror, West Elm; 5 Multicolour Espada rug, Ruggable; 6 Custom monogrammed cotton storage boxes, Crate & Barrel.
MOST OF US AREN’T GETTING ENOUGH ZZZZZ’S. HERE’S HOW TO MAKE YOUR BEDROOM A PLACE WHERE YOU WILL ACTUALLY SLEEP.
BY SUSAN HOLLIS
DESIGNDreamy
No era has put as much thought into the science of sleep as the current one. Well-researched, evidence-based books, podcasts and scholarly articles champion the importance of a solid doze, and yet somehow a good number of folks in the western world are still struggling with this basic human need. The overwhelming evidence around short- and long-term health consequences of a chronic lack thereof have only made it more stressful, but making sleep happen isn’t an overly technical experience.
Physiologically, the sleep requirements for humans have not changed for thousands of years. We require darkness, relative quiet and a sense of security. Despite advances in technology like cooling mattresses, sleep trackers and spa-like sound machines, uncomplicated adjustments to one’s physical sleep environment can have a big impact on the rest we get.
BEDROOM BASICS
“Start with a simple declutter, eliminating treasures and trinkets from slumbering sightlines for a clear mind at bedtime,” says Victoria interior designer Victoria Huntley, of Victoria Huntley Design. “Objects smaller than a melon can be tucked in a drawer. Books can be gathered in a basket, and small items can be corralled into a tray. Then put every single bedroom light on a dimmer switch, which is approximately $15.”
Investing in a quality mattress and pillow that suit your body’s best sleep positions creates an excellent base for personalized sleep needs. A restless partner with different warmth preferences might warrant two separate duvets, which ticks the box for temperature differentials while protecting against disruptions from movement in a shared bed.
According to Aakriti Batra of Sweet Dreams Boutique, the type of bedding you choose can make or break a good night’s sleep.
“Prints and colours are a personal preference, but choosing the right fabric for your sleeping temperature matters the most,” she says, adding that polyester should be avoided at all costs because it doesn’t breathe or regulate body temperature. “A 200- to 500-thread-count cotton bedding or flax linen is ideal for most sleepers and it provides a luxurious experience while regulating your body heat. Alternatively, you can choose bamboo bedding if you like a cool-to-touch effect.”
As most followers of the famed neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman know, the catalyst of every good sleep cycle is light exposure. In North America we have to ensure that artificial lights do a good job of mimicking nature when the real thing doesn’t allow for proper sleep hormones
POP
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to be triggered. Ensuring a bedroom is well insulated against the early morning and evening rays in summer (or for shift workers) is key to the process.
Advancements in technology and design mean that getting high-quality black-out window coverings is more affordable than ever. Lights should be calming, along with the rest of the environment, which designer Tracey Lamoureux of Spaciz Design Company says should be intentionally unfussy.
“I am not a fan of beds loaded up with accent pillows or throw blankets, but rather prefer a simpler Scandinavian style of design approach,” she says. “A bedroom should have a calm energy, neutral tones, simple lines, and be more of a minimalist environment.”
BETTER HABITS
In part, the modernization that gives us the tools of science to understand human sleep cycles is also a part of the problem. We are moving our bodies less throughout the day, and are dependent on screens for entertainment at all hours. Simply paring back some of these habits to move more and get outside can do a world of good for our sleep, especially as exposure to natural light throughout the day is significant to how we wind down.
“Smartphones aside, blue-bright, white-toned light bulbs are harsh and foster wakefulness, and these should be banished from homes in favour of warm tones — yellowish-red hues, measured in 2700 Kelvins or less — that are inviting and create a cozy atmosphere,” says Huntley. “Bed placement also comes to mind. If space permits, try to avoid one side of a bed being pushed up against the wall. A centred bed will generally feel more inviting.”
Across the board, experts in design of all kinds champion going back to basics when creating a functional sleep environment. The bedroom does not need to be a showcase filled with art and throw pillows, nor should it be a repository for unfolded laundry and half-finished projects. It should serve the body’s most basic needs and not much else.
“Bedrooms should be yin. Dark. Quiet. Because we want to wake up refreshed, which is yang,” says Marlyna Los, a classical feng shui consultant in Vancouver who spent 20 years in Victoria. “Yang energy is movement, yin energy is quiet — they work together, which means too many mirrors, too many pillows, too much light, isn’t good. When we have a bedroom that’s not too busy, that’s just for sleeping, we sleep better.”
CALMING COLOURS
Tracey Lamoureux of Spaciz Design Company loves the following Benjamin Moore paint colours for a calm bedroom setting.
For darker rooms (left to right): Kendall Charcoal HC-166; Chelsea Gray HC-168; Witching Hour 2120-30
For lighter rooms (top to bottom): Wind’s Breath OCV-24; Collingwood OC-28; Shaker Beige HC-45; Pashmina AF-100; Rockport Gray HC-105
5 STEPS TO BETTER SLEEP
1 Install blackout window coverings. Blackout blinds are now reasonably affordable and come in a variety of colours to match the room’s palette. If light seepage around the edges is an issue, double up with curtains lined with blackout fabric for an extra layer of control.
2 Dampen noise by using curtains, fabric headboards and medium-pile throw rugs on hardwood to absorb acoustics.
3 Avoid bright overhead lights, especially at night before bed. Instead, rely on lamps with dimmable, warm-tinted bulbs kept as low-lit as possible. This also goes for bathrooms, where lighting tends to be bright and harsh. Keep the lights low and calm while brushing teeth and moving through nightly cleansing rituals.
4 Keep temperatures in the bedroom low — a cool 15.6°C to 19.4°C is the ideal zone for sleep.
5 Make your bed with sleep-friendly materials. Linen, cotton and bamboo sheets all help regular body temperature; so do mulberry silk pillowcases, which also reduce exposure to allergens, prevent hair frizz and breakage, and protect sensitive skin from irritation.
KEITH BAKER DESIGN
At Keith Baker Design, we believe that a home is more than just a physical structure. Our business philosophy is to create thoughtful contemporary homes that reflect our clients’ needs and aspirations. Our focus is on healthy and functional living environments that blend seamlessly with nature. We take a fresh, creative and organic approach to design, incorporating authentic materials. Our designs emphasize access to natural light and interrelationships with the environment, prioritizing flowing, comfortable, warm and inviting spaces. By valuing quality and sustainability and drawing on over 40 years of experience creating harmonious relationships, we work closely with our clients to bring their vision to life.
Cotton velvet blackout curtain, from West Elm.
Flax linen bedsheets in petal pink, from Silk & Snow.
BUSINESS PROFILE
CUSTOM COASTAL LIVING
A dark, 1970s build gets a bright, beachy makeover designed for aging in place.
BY DAVID LENNAM PHOTOS BY DASHA ARMSTRONG
The location couldn’t be more West Coast — perched on the tip of a rocky point in Sidney, surrounded by the comings and goings of ships on a busy little channel of the Pacific.
For Maureen and Rob (who asked that their last names not be used), leaving their ultra-modern downtown condo for that constant sea breeze and panoramic views was a smart way to shift into retirement. And this was love at first sight.
“We walked in and just fell in love with the view,” recalls Maureen.
“And the layout,” adds Rob. That last bit is important.
Custom-built in 1978, on the bones of a structure dating back to 1949, the house is a modestly sized 2,023-square-foot, two-bed, three-bath plus den.
“For us, doing the reno, we wanted to maintain this footprint,” says Rob.
That meant not taking down walls and opening up a Pandora’s box of endless building permits. Walls and windows were kept in place and structural changes were avoided.
Even so, the reno wasn’t merely new wallpaper
and some throw cushions. The interior was taken down to the studs. Everything was redrywalled and new windows went into the framed spaces of the originals. Insulation was redone, electricals rewired, plumbing replaced, new doors installed all round.
FROM DARK TO LIGHT
For the refresh, they called on interior designer Carly Sanderson.
“When I came in it was all the original tile, grass-cloth wallpaper. Everything was original. It just really needed a facelift.”
Sanderson refers to dated treatments like linoleum floors, mosaic tiles in the bathroom and, despite wraparound ocean views, a prevailing mid-’70s darkness.
“It’s just that everything was old and worn out. It had lived a good life. But it was very dark — the walls, the doors. The home just needed to be lightened, brightened up,” she says.
Working on the wishes of the homeowners, Sanderson opted for a beachy feel that involved bright but earthy colours and natural elements like wood and brick. There’s a sense of sand and sea at play in each room.
“IT HAD LIVED A GOOD LIFE. BUT IT WAS VERY DARK — THE WALLS, THE DOORS. THE HOME JUST NEEDED TO BE LIGHTENED, BRIGHTENED UP.”
BEFORE
The original entryway (above) is cramped, gloomy and rather pedestrian compared to the light pouring in through a new glass door and walls of fresh white. The grass-cloth wallpaper, perhaps a design flair from the 1970s, made everything feel closed in.
Maureen and Rob had purchased the house in 2021 and lived in it for a year while getting a feel for what they liked and didn’t like, and what they’d change. “Coastal West Coast” was the style they decided on.
Fortunately, elements of the original interior already informed that style — like the vaulted tongue-and-groove cedar ceilings, a curving staircase wrapping around a tall brick fireplace and a gorgeous teak handrail snaking up those stairs.
Sanderson got a fresh coat of stain and sealer on the cedar and changed the lighting from larger, outdated pot lights to discreet, compact ones. To fill the holes, after removing the larger lights, wood from the upstairs bathroom ceiling had to be cannibalized to fill in on the main floor. (Maureen refers to it as the “sacrificial ceiling.”)
“We weren’t trying to hide the age of the home, but were trying to bring it up,” says Rob.
SMART SPACES
Rob and Maureen wanted to keep the original cherry hardwood floors, which had spent years hidden under carpeting, but they added to the too-dark feel and would have cost the price of new flooring to bring back to their former glory. Instead, lighter-coloured engineered white oak floors were installed throughout, giving the home an impression of more space.
Sanderson also brightened up the living room by lime-washing the dark red brick surrounding the gas fireplace. But she went dark in the main-
The old dining room (right) had a gloomy and drab feel despite the outstanding view. The redo almost feels like being outdoors. The curved staircase, with its butter-smooth teak handrail, seductively wraps around the lime-washed brick of the fireplace, which was formerly a natural dark red. New stain and sealer have freshened the original cathedralstyle cedar ceiling.
floor powder room. Painting the ceiling jet black has made the small space cozy and warm and somehow adds an unexpected elegance, drawing one’s eye to the Murano Collection clamshell sink by Native Trails.
One of the biggest challenges was how to max out the efficiency of the small kitchen. As the owners are avid boaters, putting a lot in a little may have held a curious appeal.
“I really like the kitchen,” comments Maureen. “It’s efficient.”
Adds Rob, laughing, “… said by the woman who cooks on a sailboat.”
The first thing to go were the dark backsplash tiles and countertops, which were replaced, respectively, with Centura tile and Caesarstone quartz. The custom shaker-style millwork by Splinters is definitely modern, but as the owners requested, not contemporary modern.
All new Fisher & Paykel appliances were installed, including a built-in fridge neatly concealed behind cabinetry.
“We really played around with cabinetry and storage,” says Rob.
opposite
Left: The original kitchen was a victim of its times. All that dark, heavy wood and dated linoleum flooring has given way to sleek shaker-style millwork, shining subway tile backsplash and a quartz countertop — all of which lighten the room.
Above and
page: A step back shows how the fridge has been concealed behind white cabinetry, giving a sense of increased roominess in what is still a relatively small kitchen space. A built-in beverage fridge is surrounded by plenty of extra storage.
“WE REALLY PLAYED AROUND WITH CABINETRY AND STORAGE.”
“THE WHOLE UPSTAIRS IS LIKE OUR PRIMARY BEDROOM.”
Above and left: The spacious primary ensuite was completely redone to feature dual sinks, huge hidden medicine cabinets behind mirrors and a luxurious soaking tub that’s elevated to take in the view while bathing. In addition, it has heated floors and extensive use of quartz throughout, including in the walk-in, doorless shower. Below: A 74-inch Napoleon Alluravision Slimline electric fireplace and equally large TV are central to an upstairs family room that’s really an extension of the primary bedroom just behind the open door.
FUTURE-PROOFED
Sanderson’s favourite room is the generously sized upstairs primary ensuite.
The original layout was maintained with the bathtub raised up on a small platform so one could enjoy a garden view while soaking. The old tub, small and surrounded by dated tile, was switched for a new Maax Villi freestanding model, along with a custom twin-sink vanity with under-lighting that switches on automatically when you walk in on heated floors.
“As minor as that is in the scheme of things, that’s probably one of the things we love the most,” admits Rob.
The bathroom finishes are an expanse of quartz with two large medicine cabinets built into the wall and hidden behind mirrors.
“Everything is so calming in there,” says Sanderson.
The ensuite is part of an entire upper floor that could be considered the primary suite. Sure, there’s a bedroom with an incredible view, but the second living room — featuring a wall-sized TV, a 74-inch-wide Napoleon Alluravision Slimline electric fireplace and more of that honey-coloured cedar ceiling — is like an extension of the couple’s bedroom.
“The whole upstairs is like our primary bedroom,” says Maureen.
There’s a deliberate future-proofing in that the two bedrooms, one up and one down, both have their own ensuites. For the owners that was essential. This is the house they intend to grow old in.
“We were thinking about aging in place,” explains Rob. “We even widened a couple of doorways. In this house we could live on one floor.”
RESOURCE LIST
Contractor: Goodison Construction
Interior design: Carly Sanderson Interiors
Electrical: Victoria Lightworks Electrical Services
Plumbing: Oceanview Mechanical
Millwork: Splinters Millworks
Tiler: True Tile
Windows: EuroLine
Engineered hardwood floors: Beaulieu Canada from Cherry Point Hardwood Floors
Kitchen countertop: Colonial Countertops
Powder room sink: Amalfi vessel sink by Native Trails
Plumbing fixtures: Riobel, Duravit
Lighting: Capital Lighting
Kitchen hardware: Marathon Hardware
Appliances: Fisher & Paykel
Bathtub: Maax
Kitchen backsplash: Equipe Cerámicas
Zhuzh it
AN EMERALDGREEN GEM
Bold colour, romantic curves and thoughtful details transform a dated ’80s kitchen into a timelessly functional space.
BY DANIELLE POPE | PHOTOS BY MARY McNEILL KNOWLES
Rachel Laird and her husband Dave found their Swan Lake home at the height of the market frenzy. It was 2016, and the couple was relocating to Victoria from Kelowna, with no time to be choosy.
“The house was in an area we weren’t really familiar with, but we made an offer and just hoped it went through,” says Laird. “It seemed peaceful and lovely.”
The offer worked. Once the house was in hand, however, they weren’t sure it would be a long-term match. The 1940s-era build had been brought up to 1980s standards, but the kitchen was still especially small and antiquated.
Life clipped along for the couple. They settled into Island living and welcomed a daughter. Then the pandemic struck.
“We actually had the home for four years before we made any changes, but we started thinking — like everyone during the pandemic — what would we need to do to actually make this place work for us?” Laird says. “Either we needed to move, or change something.”
Homeowner Rachel Laird dreamed of having space for her family to create together, and this enchanting kitchen delivers. The vibrant cabinets in bold Cushing Green are complemented by beadboard in the softer Sea Haze, both colours by Benjamin Moore. The red oak island adds a woodsy feel to the space.
CURVES AHEAD
By now, they loved the area and the market was ballooning. A livable suite in the home’s lower level made it possible for the family to expand their layout. Still, the main floor was impractical for parents with young children.
Laird made a call to the team at Victoria design firm Bidgood. With modest hope, she approached them with a few ideas on how the kitchen could be modernized, brightened, maybe even expanded — but it was hard to envision how much could change. And, she had a firm deadline of August 2021, with her second child due soon after.
“This family wanted to connect the home so the kitchen was a central part of the living space,” says Kyla Bidgood, creative director and founder of Bidgood. “They wanted to open it up but not alter the footprint, and we needed to align the changes so the space would feel like it belonged and was part of the home’s ethos.”
Pre-reno, the kitchen was antiquated and impractical. While the plumbing stayed in its original location to help with function and costs, the exterior door was swapped from solid to glass with mullions to match the existing windows, which held heritage charm. Custom Vancouver Island marble flooring replaced dated vinyl, and new Montblanc Caesarstone countertops appear as though they’ve always been there. The romantic archway builds a transition between this special zone and the rest of the home.
Photo credit: Simran Sachar by Diane Smithers
Photo: Simran Sachar by Diane Smithers
This kitchen — with its plain white cabinetry, steel pulls, vinyl flooring and generic counters — was surprisingly dark and its awkward layout left anyone working in the space with their back to the rest of the house.
“Our biggest thing was being able to see the kids, and it felt very dark, with minimal counter space,” says Laird. “Even in an awkward one, everyone always ends up in the kitchen.”
Bidgood’s challenge was to bring a beat back into this home’s heart. With a mission to open the space and improve flow, brightness, storage, prep space and connection with the rest of the house, it was no small order. Plumbing could stay in its original location to help with construction costs, but the team modernized the space with chefgrade appliances and brought in an English country esthetic. That included honouring the home’s coved ceilings by way of adding a new archway and pill-shaped island.
“Their street had a very English countryside feel and we wanted to bring that feel-good storybook essence into the kitchen,” Bidgood says. “Opening up the space with the archway kept the kitchen defined, but added a renewed sense of connection.”
The room would be losing a wall, but gaining an island that would become the focal point and workspace of the kitchen. The purpose-built piece isn’t filled with special plumbing or modern-day storage risers. Instead, it looks like a period-specific, butcher-block centrepiece that doubles as a movable servery, landing for groceries or place to visit.
“It’s so fun to prep dinner and have my daughter sit on a stool at the end of the island
Far from the drab motifs of this kitchen’s past, antique brass ring pulls and the Ikon low-divide sink in Blanco add both functionality and historic charm. The Georgian-style bridge kitchen faucet and side spray in unlacquered brass by Perrin & Rowe will weather family life and add patina for decades to come.
“I love colour in that moody, British sort of way. I love that personality and lived-in-ness ...”
and talk about her day,” says Laird. “It feels just right. The end result was completely outside my realm of what I thought was possible. When I heard the plan I said, ‘If I had a kitchen like that, it would be beyond imagination.’ And it truly is.”
INSPIRED BY ENGLAND
Not only does the renewed space bring function into the home, it does so with a romantic colour scheme that speaks to Laird’s bold personality — and one that evokes traditional English kitchens that are often decorated in bold hues.
“I love colour in that moody, British sort of way. I love that personality and livedin-ness — the emerald green, with the marble floor,” says Laird. “My husband was a little skeptical at first, so this colour was a compromise, but the green we landed on is perfect. When people see it for the first time they often remark how well it works.”
The floor, with its quad tile sets of Vancouver Island marble, is one of Laird’s favourite features. While the materials are new, the look has a true heritage feel and wears well.
“I don’t want to be precious about things, and you can worry about that after it’s just been renovated,” she says. “I like the patina, and that it has a scratch from when [the children] were playing with a toy car. It wears with us, as a family.”
With a design for longevity in mind, a priority for the Bidgood team was not only to make the changes look like they had always been there, but also to bring in materials that will work for decades to come.
“That feeling of warmth and coziness is something we wanted this family, and everyone who comes into their home, to feel,” says Bidgood. “It’s like grandma’s kitchen back in the 1940s — it was always pristine, but had a livedin look, with craftsmanship built to withstand life.”
UNIQUE
RESOURCES
Design: Bidgood
General contracting: Vineuve
Construction
Custom cabinetry: Trestle Millwork
Lighting: Visual Comfort & Co.
Pulls: Lee Valley
Finishings: Yester Home, Ferm Living
Sink: Blanco
Faucet: House of Rohl
Stools: Gabriel Ross
Hood vent art: What’s Lost and Found
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WHITE OUT
OUR FAVOURITE COOL NEUTRAL IS FADING FROM FASHION. SO WHAT SHOULD WE REPLACE IT WITH?
BY SIMONE PAGET
Interior design critics are calling the extensive use of grey and beige among the worst design trends of the last decade — but is white the latest shade to fade from glory? Designers say yes.
“Stark whites served their purpose for the last number of years. They performed their duty, acting as a reset for our homes and palette,” says Raubyn Rothschild, lead designer at Rothschild West. She explains that, like any trend, stark white has become overly saturated and monotonous. “When not done right, white spaces can feel austere or generic.”
After weathering the pandemic with our white walls and interiors, Rothschild says people are moving away from the overly sanitized esthetic and leaning into spaces that evoke warmer emotions. “This has translated to a shift to more nuanced neutrals and playing with textures,” she says.
Homeowners are leaning into earthy, layered palettes, with warm pinks, yellows and browns coming in hot to create inviting, cozy spaces that complement the natural environment.
“Being on the West Coast, we gravitate more towards organic interiors representative of the surrounding seascape, which has contributed to a push towards these warmer tones. Neutrals allow the beauty of our ocean vistas/views to become the focal point, introducing colour as the lighting shifts,” says Jenny Martin, founder and principal designer at Jenny Martin Designs.
While warmer tones are versatile, they also come with unique challenges. “For several years now we have been moving away from grey tones and embracing warmer neutrals, which can prove more difficult than you would hope on the West Coast! Just try to find warm pea gravel or exterior pavers, for example, and you will be directed back to grey,” says Rothschild.
However, she adds, “Where neutrals shine is their ability to layer effortlessly. They make for a personal mix of tone and texture that can be very soothing and beautiful, and they pair exceptionally well with many different wood tones and other natural elements, like stone.”
For those who are considering adding rich neutrals to warm up their space, here are a few things to consider.
After years at the height of fashion, stark whites are giving way to warmer hues in layered textures for a richer, more welcoming neutral base.
Go with a bold print.
If you’re worried about neutrals making your space too subdued, Rothschild says, “Bold graphics or patterns done in neutral colours can be effective at energizing a space without a big commitment.” Think large-scale artwork or checkerboard patterns, which we’re seeing everywhere from tiles to rugs and duvet covers. “Is it a trend, and could it date? Sure, but if it’s done strategically, the longevity will be there and you will inject some very livable vibrancy into your space!” she says.
Decide how you want to feel in your home.
Colour is powerful. The “neutral” moniker is in some ways misleading because even earthy tones can evoke specific feelings.
For example, a delicate terracotta pink can add a soft, nurturing touch to a space. “Yellows, on the other hand, can radiate energy and optimism, infusing spaces with a cheerful and welcoming atmosphere. Browns bring a sense of earthiness and stability, grounding the room and promoting a feeling of security,” says Iván Meade, principal designer at Meade Design Group. When selecting neutrals, be clear on how you want to feel in your space and go from there.
Refresh with the Northerly™ Collection
Fusing
Get inspired by the West Coast.
If you’re unsure where to start, allow yourself to get inspired by the natural environment. Meade encourages people to create a base with warm wood floors. “Cedar perfectly combines with neutrals and warm tones that not just evoke the natural world, but they are creating a sense of calm and grounded atmosphere,” he says.
He then suggests layering in tones from nature, like taupes, greiges, sage greens, soft browns, red browns and even pastels. “These hues bring a unique ambience while maintaining a sense of calm and sophistication. They pair exceptionally well with organic materials such as wood, stone and rattan, cane, as well as warm metals like brass, oil-rubbed bronze and copper,” says Meade.
Consider elements of the West Coast, such as rainforest hues (left) or artworks like this Killer Whale Spindle Whorl Panel by Susan Point, from Mark Loria Gallery.
Take a tonal approach. When in doubt, take a tonal approach. Choose a hue you like and use variations of it through different fabrics, tints, shades and textures. This strategy works for both contemporary and traditional homes, says Rothschild. “It’s a versatile way of approaching any range of colours within a space and is particularly livable with neutral tones,” she says.
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Work with your existing white walls and décor.
If you are attached to your white walls, there are still ways to infuse your space with warmth. “We’d encourage them to introduce warmth through brass finishes, warmer woods and earthy tones in their furniture and décor selections,” says Martin. Alternatively, wallpaper, throw pillows or curtains in a rich neutral shade can warm up a space without overpowering the white backdrop. “One of my favourite mixes is white and cream with hints of taupe,” says Meade. “It is sophisticated, yet refreshingly modern.”
Embrace natural textures.
You don’t need to completely overhaul your home to embrace the new neutrals. “If you’re someone who loves your white interior but just wants a little pick-me-up, then try introducing neutral tones via natural materials, like sisal rugs or a wood table or chairs,” says Rothschild. “It’s a way to add that warmth while maintaining a minimalist sensibility.”
You can also play around with neutrals by pairing different kinds of wood together. “Wood tones are neutrals, in my opinion, and can be mixed and layered,” says Rothschild.
Understand that neutrals aren’t one-size-fits-all.
Cozy neutrals are incredibly versatile but not every shade is going to be suitable for every space. As a result, Rothschild says, “You are seeing a very tailored, custom approach to neutrals because they are not as flexible to work with as whites. The lighting in the home, in each room, can drastically change how your eye reads the colour. What looks moody and has depth in one space can be drab or depressing in another,” she says. Work with the space you have and be mindful of the mood you want to create. Through the thoughtful layering of colours, textures and elements, you can create a space that’s balanced, harmonious and, most importantly, infused with personality.
BY SHANNON MONEO
ROOMS THAT SELL A HOME
Your kitchen and bath can encourage a quick sale. A stager will show you how.
It’s well known that, when it comes to remodelling, the kitchen and primary bathroom typically provide the best return on investment, about 70 per cent. But even staging those rooms can boost the value of your home and lead to a quicker sale.
Take Lisa Lalonde. In early 2023, she and her husband sold their 20-year-old Colwood home within a week and a half. “Everyone that walked in said it was the nicest house they’d seen in a long time,” says Lalonde. “We had an offer the day we put it up.”
To what does Lalonde owe the compliments and speedy sale? Thoughtful staging, especially of the kitchen and bathrooms.
‘LIKE A MODEL HOUSE’
Lalonde hired stager and designer Melanie Henson, of Victoria’s J mel Interior Design, to evaluate the 3,000-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-bathroom home. Henson went through the whole house and provided a detailed list of what needed to be fixed, staged or removed. “She told me what I had to do in each room. It was a lot easier with a list,” says Lalonde.
She dutifully followed instructions. Anything personal was removed from walls and shelves, to be replaced by a few strategically placed items. There was lots of cleaning and decluttering, and many boxes were stored in the double garage. Lalonde had also recently repainted the interior a very light shade of grey, providing an adaptable palette.
Henson’s services cost roughly $3,500, and were well worth it. Lalonde says Henson did an incredible job, and adds: “It was like a model house.”
Henson has been offering staging services for 15 years and says it’s better to have someone like her come in before putting a home on the market. That’s because most sellers have difficulty envisioning strategic staging or an involved renovation, and when they see something they like, they often don’t know why.
“So, we’re like a Realtor’s tool box,” she says. “Good staging helps you see the potential of how the home can be.”
FIX, CLEAN, DEPERSONALIZE
Realtor Laurie Lidstone agrees. She has been selling homes in Victoria for over three decades and is also the current chair of the Victoria Real Estate Board. Her years of experience have given her insight into what buyers are looking for, so she will often give sellers ideas for how to stage their homes. (Sellers can find more ideas on Realtor websites where the new homes are listed.)
But Lidstone has also used stagers numerous times, and says hiring a stager makes a lot of sense because they view the home through a specialized lens.
“You want people to walk in and visualize themselves in the kitchen,” says Lidstone, who works at RE/MAX Camosun. “You want the buyer to look at the room, not the personalities.”
She recalls one young couple who were viewing a house where the floors were barely visible due to all the “stuff” in the house. The couple were turned off, but the floors were in good shape — they were just invisible. “You have to
“YOU WANT THE BUYER TO LOOK AT THE ROOM, NOT THE PERSONALITIES.”
minimize, open the space,” she says.
Also key is having things in good repair — and, most importantly, everything should be immaculate.
Fixes that have been put off should be done prior to listing. Everything should undergo a deep clean, especially the kitchen and bathrooms. Windows should be sparkling, with curtains or blinds open to let the light in, particularly during the fall/winter periods when the Island can be dark. And if the home has undesirable odours, Lidstone recommends renting an ozone generator that can remove smells.
If the seller is skilled, they can repaint kitchen or bathroom cabinets and install new countertops. But try to avoid the slippery slope, Lidstone cautions. “Be careful, you can start chasing that reno. The best return you can get is on paint.”
If you plan to sell, the kitchen and primary bath are the rooms to focus on. They should be immaculate, attractive and free of clutter and personal items. A stager can help make them ready to list.
KITCHENS AND BATHS
Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the areas that elicit the most buyer interest. According to a 2021 RE/MAX study, the top three renovations for return on investment were kitchens, bathrooms and a fresh coat of paint in 17 Canadian housing markets, including Victoria.
So, one of a seller’s first considerations is to determine if a redo is needed and how far they want to go. A savvy staging job may be enough.
Because a full kitchen renovation can cost upwards of $70,000, recouping that likely won’t happen. Smaller fixes like new countertops, cupboard hardware, refinished cabinets (neutral shades) or new light fixtures may be worthwhile. Clear out kitchen clutter and obstacles. “Less is better. A few appliances are OK, but you don’t want to have paper towels, a breadbox,” Henson says. If appliances are dated, they should be replaced. But don’t break the bank when buying.
Lalonde, for instance, cleared the kitchen counters, leaving only a few plants and a couple of appliances. She also reorganized and edited all of her cupboards. But she didn’t do a reno.
Same in the primary bathroom. Lalonde bought a new rug and white towels, hid the garbage can, redid the grouting and removed personal items. “I made it clean and beautiful,” she says.
Items like a new mirror, lights, fresh towels, new shower curtain, clean glass and perhaps new fixtures all go a long way in a bathroom. So does a fresh coat of paint. “Paint is gold in a can,” Henson says. “It really enhances a space without spending a ton of money.” Inoffensive, neutral white is the best choice.
And remember: As Henson notes, “How we live and how we sell a property are different. When you walk into a home that’s really well staged, you can see yourself living there.”
For Lalonde, Henson’s staging list was the start of a simple life. In her current Victoria townhome and house in Courtenay, she’s replicated Henson’s slimmed-down-decorating suggestions. “I didn’t even want to put pictures up,” she says.
FAST TIPS FOR A FAST SALE
If you plan to put your home on the market, Realtor Laurie Lidstone and designer/stager Melanie Henson offer this advice:
• Clean, clean, clean everything from floors to windows to closets to ovens.
• Go light on room deodorizer; while you want to eliminate unpleasant smells, you don’t want to overpower the room with scent.
• Paint walls in neutral colours, preferably white.
• Depersonalize by removing family photos, sports memorabilia, religious or political items, personal art and the like.
• Clear countertops and other surfaces of clutter.
• Ensure rooms have furniture; empty rooms seem smaller than they actually are.
• Limit yourself to select accents like new towels, a bowl of fruit, vase of flowers or shiny appliances, which all make valuable impressions.
• Add extra lighting to improve the ambience.
THE RETURN OF RENTING
Attractive new builds offer flexible lifestyles and central locations without the commitments of homeownership.
BY NESSA PULLMAN | PHOTOS BY JAMES JONES
For decades, owning a home has been a goal for most young adults, who’ve worked hard to save enough money for a down payment on a house that would eventually become capital. But times are different now. Lifestyles and priorities have changed and people are looking at other ways to use their money, whether that’s investing in market stocks, opening a business or even spending it on travel.
And with this change comes a new need for more diverse housing options.
“We are shifting the way we look at renting,” says Melanie Ransome, director of marketing and communications at Aryze Developments. “It is no longer the only option, but rather an empowered choice.”
SIMPLIFIED LIVING
There are many benefits to renting that appeal to all types of people: the freedom and flexibility of a transient lifestyle; the simplicity of less upkeep and fewer unexpected bills; and, finally, centralized living. More and more urban planners are designing 15-minute cities, where everything you need, from grocery stores to banks, is right outside your front door. Purpose-built rentals are being built with these locations in mind, appealing to people seeking a simpler life.
It’s been a long time since Victoria has invested this heavily in rentals. Back in the 1970s, there was a push for more rental buildings here (which explains the many identical, boxy, fourlevel buildings you can see scattered around the city). But those buildings are old now, and most have poor insulation and air quality. Limited options for housing diversity have caused a negative effect on the natural housing continuum that is vital for keeping a city healthy and sustainable.
“The Victoria vacancy rates have been unmet for a very long time,” says Ransome. “With limited housing options, people ready to move on to the next stage of life haven’t been able to.”
In response to this challenge, the team at Aryze has been developing a series of thoughtfully purpose-built rental buildings throughout Victoria.
Their latest project, Centro, a 56-unit building located in bustling Quadra Village, was designed with renter comfort top of mind. “We wanted to challenge the status quo of what people think of rentals and the rental experience,” says Ransome. Centro was built with intention, with the knowledge that rental buildings should support the lifestyle and needs of its occupants. Being tailored to the user experience, some of Centro’s amenities include secure bike storage, a Modo car-share membership and a dog-washing station.
CENTRALIZED LIVING
Supporting the rental market also means providing affordable housing options for those struggling to meet market demands. Aryze worked with the Victoria Housing Reserve Fund to secure six units in the building that would be designated for eligible medium-income participants like Amy Crha.
Crha, a single mother with an 11-year-old daughter, had been struggling to secure any decent long-term housing in the city. After applying for the program, Crha and her daughter are now living in one of the units in Centro, which is located near both her daughter’s school and her work. “For the first time in years, my daughter has her own bedroom,” says Crha, “It’s like a weight has
The apartments at Centro by Aryze Developments are designed to provide a more elevated rental experience for everyone, from singles to young families to retirees looking to downsize.
“WE WANTED TO CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO OF WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF RENTALS AND THE RENTAL EXPERIENCE.”
been lifted off my shoulders knowing we are secure here.”
A few floors up from Crha’s unit is the one her sister, Angela Hearn, decided to rent after selling her single-family home. “With our kids growing up and leaving the nest, my husband and I wanted to live in a smaller space where we could have more time for the things we love without all the housework,” Hearn says. She and her husband were also drawn to the central location, with shops at their front door and family nearby. “We just have to walk out the door and there is everything you need.”
Sarah Henderson, director of sales and leasing at Aryze Developments, has seen the shift in the rental clientele over recent years. “These days, people are taking their time to explore the different neighbourhoods, the buildings, and making it a really intentional move,” she says.
With this change in clientele comes a more elevated approach to the rental experience — from the application phase to the walk-throughs. “The truth is, it should have always been this way,” says Henderson. “Renters should be given the same treatment as if they were buying a home.”
CIBC WOOD GUNDY
DESIGN INSPO
BY JOANNE SASVARI
Getting Groovy
FLUTED, RIBBED OR REEDED GLASS IS A VINTAGE LOOK THAT’S COOL ONCE AGAIN.
If you crave light but don’t want to be blinded by it, prefer transparency but need privacy, and are looking for a super versatile style that goes with just about everything, then reeded or fluted glass might just be the perfect solution for your home or workspace.
Although this vertically grooved glass looks similar from a distance, reeded and fluted styles are slightly different — reeded glass is concave and hollowed out with an “inward” look, while fluted or ribbed glass is convex and curve-like, with an “outward” appearance.
1. CABINETRY
Textured glass can conceal the items (and mess) in a sideboard, hutch, wardrobe or kitchen cabinet while still making the room look more spacious. Adding a light behind it creates a lovely glow.
The Showcase Sideboard from Sundays uses subtly fluted glass and a gently rounded frame in a timeless piece of furniture perfect for displaying your treasures without revealing too much. sundays-company.ca
Whichever you choose, the style first emerged on the scene in the late 19th century. It was especially popular in Art Nouveau architecture and design, but was quickly incorporated into everyday household items like lamps and vases. Since then, it’s meandered in and out of style, but was most popular in mid-century design — until now.
Grooved glass is having a whole new heyday, and why not? It’s perfectly contemporary, but with a vintage appeal. Architects and designers love the way it adds texture and diffused light to space, making it perfect for creating a sense of privacy without losing a sense of openness. And although it can cost more than plain glass, DIY-ers can create the look of reeded glass with inexpensive stick-on film (available online).
What makes it especially appealing is the quality of light that filters through it: soft, watery, fluid. No wonder it’s so popular in bathrooms.
Although reeded or fluted glass is available in everything from cabinet doors to lampshades to glassware, perhaps the best use of it these days is a semi-privacy barrier in all our open-plan spaces. A ribbed glass screen or door is an easy way to section off space for work, study or socializing, without actually having to build walls.
The only caveat is that it can be a little more work to keep clean, and can be a bit fragile, which could be an issue in homes with children or pets. Otherwise, it’s clearly a groovy design choice. Here are five ways to work it into your own home or office.
3. PENDANTS
Hang a fluted pendant in your kitchen or dining area and the grooved glass creates pretty streams of light and shadow that dance through the room, providing a warm, faceted glow and eye-catching focal point.
With its vintage brass finish, the Cooper ribbed glass pendant from Pottery Barn has a subtle antique charm that still works with contemporary interiors. potterybarn.ca
2. DOORS
Waterproof frosted or fluted glass doors are ideal for sectioning off steamy spaces like your kitchen or shower; they also make for a bright way to divvy up a living room and create private areas for play or work, then open them back up for larger gatherings. Sliding, pocket or bifold doors are all beautiful ways to use fluted or reeded glass. vigoindustries.com
4. SCONCES
Wall sconces are having a moment — they create a welcoming mood by adding warm light at eye level and also make for handy task lighting in kitchens and bathrooms — and are especially of the moment in fluted glass.
The Odette wall sconce from Light House is made from ribbed glass with an aged gold-brass frame, and can hang horizontally or vertically, ideal for hallways. lighthouseco.ca
5. GLASSWARE
There’s something about fluted glassware that is just so chic, whether it’s a tumbler for your morning OJ, a coupe for your celebratory bubbles or a decanter for the table.
Designer and tastemaker Laura Kim (Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan, Monse) created the elegant, limited edition Plisse cocktail/ champagne coupe (below) in collaboration with Crate & Barrel. (“Plisse” is the French word for “pleated.”)
Carafes and decanters are handy for serving spirits, wine and pre-mixed cocktails, plus they just look so darn great on your bar cart, especially when made with ribbed glass. The fluted glass of the Atwell decanter (below; also from Crate & Barrel) reflects light while providing a sturdy grip, and makes a classic addition to any liquor cabinet. The series also features matching stackable highball and old fashioned glasses. crateandbarrel.ca
Circumnavigate Japan
Japan Intensive Voyage with Cathy Scott
Join Cathy Scott on an unforgettable 14-night journey aboard the Azamara Pursuit, sailing through the heart of Japan and South Korea. Begin your adventure in Kobe, known for its world-renowned beef and proximity to historic Kyoto. Immerse yourself in Kochi’s vibrant culture, and reflect on the histories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Pop over to Busan, Korea for one day to explore temples and markets, then back in Japan indulge in Sakaiminato’s seafood and explore Kanazawa’s golden heritage. Experience Niigata’s blend of tradition and modernity, and unwind in Akita’s hot springs before ending in the bustling metropolis of Tokyo.
Call now or use the QR code to learn more details about the exciting itinerary.
Your Tour Host Cathy Scott, Chief Exploration Officer
The Statement Range Hood
MAKE THE AIR CLEAN AND YOUR KITCHEN BEAUTIFUL.
The venting system in your kitchen needs to be functional.
But wouldn’t it be great if it was also beautiful? Although invisibility has its virtues, the latest trend in kitchen design is all about making range hoods into showstopping centrepieces.
There are several different ways of whisking smoke, grease and odours out of your kitchen. Range hoods, also called hood vents or hood fans (though each works slightly differently), can be inserted into a cabinet or mounted underneath it, suspended over an island or attached to a wall. Downdraft ventilation is another option — these vents pop up behind a cooktop to whoosh away hot air when needed, then close flush to the countertop when the cooking is done.
Most use ducts to vent the hot air outside through the wall or roof, though some recirculate the air instead. These days, range hoods are also getting quieter, more powerful and smarter, with LED lighting and advanced sensors to detect heat, smoke and humidity levels.
All get the job done, but none are as beautiful as the hot new-old range hoods. These dramatic, sculptural pieces evoke a more gracious era, whether they are made in traditional or contemporary style. They can be wood or metal, linear or curved, convex or concave, plain, patterned or trimmed with scalloped edges, crown moulding or brass strapping. They can be places to display works of art, or be a work of art themselves.
Stainless steel, patinated brass and hammered copper all make for lovely range hoods, especially with contrasting metal trim. So do customdesigned hoods that are painted to match kitchen walls, countertops or statement appliances like a blue La Cornue oven or Matador red Hestan range.
Now that’s a case of form following function, beautifully.
La Cornue range with matching hood vent in stainless steel with brass strapping.
Project by Alykhan Velji Designs | Joel Klassen Photography Narrow Oval Pocket Door Mortise Lock in Satin Brass
ENHANCE THE NIGHT
Landlight is a locally owned landscape lighting distribution business and is a division of Wes-Tech Irrigation Systems. Come visit our showroom in Langford BC in the Wes-Tech Irrigation warehouse where our dedicated, expert staff will be happy to help you find the perfect lighting.