SPRUCE Magazine Spring 2025 by Page One Publishing

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MAKE A SPLASH

Planning a bathroom makeover?

These are the trends you need to know right now. BY SPRUCE STAFF

How a simple bungalow reno resulted in a stunning work of art surrounded by nature's beauty. BY CARLA SORRELL

When an editor renovates her favourite room, she takes notes along the way to help you with yours. BY JOANNE

SASVARI

48 LINO OR VINYL?

No flooring choice is perfect, so we break down the pros and cons of these perennial faves. BY SPRUCE STAFF

EDITOR’S LETTER

SPRUCE IT UP

Wooden music stands that make your instruments sing; how butter makes everything better; Patkau Architecture's new lighting line; Design Victoria; fab florals to welcome spring; the fluffiest towels and smartest add-ons.

DESIGN INSPO

Clean, cool and swellegant, Art Deco makes a comeback.

HOW TO

You probably need to know how to change a faucet. Just follow these 10 expert steps.

BY CAROLYN CAMILLERI

REAL ESTATE

How the Bank of Mom and Dad is changing things for young homebuyers.

BY SHANNON MONEO

GARDENS

Start now to grow a bumper crop of produce this summer. BY CAROLYN CAMILLERI

AT THE TABLE

Tips, tools and everything you need for a burger that will really smash it. BY JOANNE SASVARI

AT HOME WITH

Chef Kristian Eligh's love-hate relationship with his home kitchen. BY CARLA SORRELL

designheads

Bites, Bevvies + Bright Ideas

THE ART OF HOME MAKEOVERS

Join Spruce magazine for an evening of inspiring ideas, expert insights and tasty bites.

The best home makeovers transform a space into one that’s more functional, valuable and beautiful, right now and for years to come. At this exclusive event, homeowners will discover the latest décor trends and practical tips from top industry and design experts. Don’t miss this chance to mingle, learn and enjoy an evening of home makeover magic!

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY:

APRIL 29, 2025

5-7 p.m. | The Atrium

800 Yates Street

Each $75 ticket includes two beverages, gourmet bites from Zambri’s, a chance to win prizes and a fabulous swag bag to take home.

The dynamic Ann Squires Ferguson CEO, Western Design+Build returns as moderator.

Andrew Maxwell

Let's have a kitchen party!

When I was growing up, we lived in a 1970s West Coast Modern house with a galley kitchen; it had Harvest Gold appliances, orange Formica countertops and a “portable” dishwasher that we had to roll up to the sink and attach to the tap each night after dinner. My grandparents, meanwhile, lived in an even older house, built just before the First World War, and their kitchen had leadedglass cabinets, wall-to-wall carpeting and a big, old, smelly and slightly scary white enamel gas range.

Today, most of us would take one look at either of those spaces and start planning a reno, pronto.

For one thing, it would be the sensible thing to do — next to a fresh coat of paint, kitchen renovations offer the best return on investment of any home improvement you could undertake, followed by bathrooms.

For another, we want

our kitchens to reflect who we are and how we use them. In older homes, they tend to be small and tucked behind closed doors because all they were used for was cooking. Today, though, our kitchens are where we cook and where we dine, where we entertain, where we work and do homework, where we take Zoom meetings, do the laundry, feed the pets, pay the bills, have our most meaningful conversations and generally live our most authentic lives.

We demand a lot of our kitchens. We want them to have chef-worthy appliances, plenty of pantry space and a nice big island for dining and entertaining. We want them to be functional. And we also want them to look good.

Kitchen trends come and go, just like trends in dining and entertaining. Few of us would choose an orange Formica countertop or carpeting in our kitchen

KITCHENS ARE WHERE WE HAVE OUR MOST MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS AND GENERALLY LIVE OUR MOST AUTHENTIC LIVES.

these days, or even the Tuscan vibe of the 1980s or the scrolled yellow oak cabinetry of the 1990s. Even the all-white kitchens of a few years ago are starting to look a bit dated.

But what doesn’t change is that our kitchens truly are the heart and hearth of the home. Invite people over and every gathering inevitably becomes a kitchen party. And isn’t that the very best kind?

Joanne Sasvari, Editor-in-Chief

DEMO RENO

Here's a look at my recent, down-to-thestuds kitchen reno — the scary demolition after the “before” and before the “after.” See page 40 to see how it all turned out.

PUBLISHERS Lise Gyorkos Georgina Camilleri

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joanne Sasvari

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Jeffrey Bosdet

LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER Janice Hildybrant

ASSOCIATE

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kelly Hamilton

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Deana Brown Jennifer Dean Van Tol Cynthia Hanischuk Brenda Knapik

ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATOR Rebecca Juetten

MARKETING & EVENTS

CO-ORDINATOR Lauren Ingle

COPY EDITOR Lionel Wild

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Carolyn Camilleri Shannon Moneo Carla Sorrell

CONTRIBUTING

PHOTOGRAPHER Jody Beck

CONTRIBUTING AGENCIES Getty Images p. 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55; Living4Media p. 20, 21; Unsplash p. 26

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ON THE COVER Lessons From My Kitchen, p. 40

Photo by Jeffrey Bosdet, Spruce magazine

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A SPRING REFRESH

TAKING A STAND FOR MUSIC

Guitars, fiddles and ukeleles not only make beautiful music, they are themselves works of art. The stands they sit on, though? They tend to be pretty basic — unless Caleb Blake is making them. Under his Natural Collection brand, the Campbell River furniture maker and guitar player crafts sinuously elegant hardwood pieces that are as functional as they are attractive. He founded Natural Collection back in 2019, when he was still a carpenter framing houses in Calgary. By 2020, he was making his guitar hangers, music stands, display cabinets and other pieces full time; in 2021, his Performer stool won a prestigious Made in Alberta Award. Blake describes his work as “building fine furniture for your musical instruments.” We think they deserve nothing less. naturalcollectionstands.com

SPRUCE IT UP

Better with Butter

PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP WITH THIS

WARM COLOUR.

Think: daffodils, ducklings and sunshine; energy, joy and positivity. Soft, gentle, buttery yellow has made a comeback and just in time for spring.

Whether it’s rain-slicker bright or pale as buttercream frosting, yellow is a colour that makes you feel alert and optimistic. Softer pastel yellows especially are terrific in kitchens, home offices, nurseries and bedrooms. Yellow also plays nicely with white; together they create a bright, simple and perfectly cheerful space.

Whether you drench your room in buttery yellow or just add a few key pieces to your space, it’s the perfect way to add a touch of spring. After all, everything is better with butter.

1) Fiestaware bistro bowl in Daffodil, available at Penna Kitchen.

Creamy, warm, pure yellow walls in Sherwin Williams's Butter Up, SW 6681. 3) Sunny, light-filled paint in Farrow & Ball Dayroom Yellow, No. 233. 4) Le Creuset enameled cast-iron “Petal” braiser in Honey, available at Williams Sonoma. 5) Garnier Thiebaut “Les Blés” cotton kitchen towel, available at The Tuscan Kitchen. 6) KitchenAid stand mixer in 2025’s Colour of the Year, Butter.

Let There Be Beautiful Lighting

Architect John Patkau believes good design should be accessible to everyone, and his team’s new product line aims to make it so.

BY JOANNE SASVARI

After a lifetime of designing some of the country’s most visually arresting structures, from private homes to art galleries, libraries, schools and even a light-infused temple, you’d think John Patkau would take his Order of Canada and relax for a while.

Instead, he and his team are releasing Patkau Studio, a line of lighting and furniture designed to blend art, nature, form and function — and bring joy to almost any space.

“It has been in the works for a while. We’ve probably been working on this for a decade,” says Patkau. “We’ve always done one-off pieces for projects. But the idea of actually manufacturing furniture is new.”

Like everything Patkau does, the Patkau Studio pieces are inspired by nature. The lines are clean, the pieces modular, the materials high in quality and built to last. He describes the lighting as “illuminated sculpture, but functional”; the furniture as radiating “positive energy in each piece.”

In part, the motivation for taking on a new project was his observation that, increasingly, good design has moved from the realm of the modest, accessible and middle class to being available only to the very wealthy. While a Patkau floor lamp is still expensive — the smallest retails for about $950, the largest for $2,700 or “less than a bicycle,” he says — it isn’t outrageously so, making it an accessible luxury for most design aficionados, and one that will fit even into a small condo.

we really heard from retailers is that there is a big demand for pendants, so that is what we are doing,” Patkau says.

The furniture range features Maitake (named for the wild mushroom also known as Hen of the Woods), a modular series of organically shaped solid wood coffee tables that come in four sizes and three heights that can be combined and rearranged at will. “It grows and changes and people can have a variety of different configurations,” Patkau says. There are more pieces to come, including the streamlined Trestle dining table and lithe Joey stool with its stainless steel frame and saddle-like leather seat.

Everything is made right on site in Patkau’s Vancouver workshop and designed

Design Victoria Returns

Seeking inspiration?

“We’ve done a lot of furniture that is more bespoke, but we were looking for something that we could make accessible to a broader audience,” he says.

So far the lighting line includes the four sizes of Minima Lightform floor lamps, with pendants and table lamps to follow. “What

You’ll find plenty of it at the third annual Design Victoria festival, May 1 to 4. “There’s energy building toward it,” says festival founder Carla Sorrell.

“There’s some interesting speakers coming in to talk to Victoria, and also some

Patkau's Minima lights are designed to be “illuminated sculpture” for homes big and small.

to last “not for years, but for generations,” he says. “Everything we do has that level of craft.”

They have entered into partnerships with design-forward retailers across Canada, including Gabriel Ross here in Victoria. Patkau will also be speaking at the upcoming Design Victoria festival (see below) about art, furniture and some of their famous buildings, like the Temple of Light at the ashram outside Nelson. His presentation will coincide with a display of the Minima lights at Gabriel Ross.

Meanwhile, Patkau’s team is constantly working on new ideas, many of them inspired by their bigger projects. “This is a really invigorating thing. It reminds us to continue to execute at the smallest scale,” he says.

“It’s a joy,” Patkau adds. “It’s a work of joy and I hope that shines through the products.”

For more information about Patkau Architecture and their projects, visit patkau.ca

iconic Victoria designers.”

New this year is a central event hub located at The Rotunda, where attendees can pick up information and enjoy workshops, presentations and social events. Other festival highlights include a Q&A hosted by GR Contract

with Nicole Marion, award-winning designer of the Percy Lounge Chair by NaughtOnen, and a walking tour that explores Victoria's built identity. The full schedule will be posted online in mid-March, with tickets on sale in early April. designvictoria.ca

Maitake tables

JAMES DOW / PATKAU ARCHITECTS

5 THINGS

Set the Mood for Spring

Yes, yes, of course you should do your spring cleaning and stay on top of your seasonal home maintenance. (Don’t forget those gutters!) But we also think there are prettier and more enjoyable ways to welcome spring. Think fresh florals, soothing pastels and hopeful signs of brighter, warmer days ahead. Here are five things we’re adding to our homes right now.

A Vase for Spring Flowers

We never seem to have enough vases for spring flowers, so there’s always room for one, or two, more. The refined Collett vase from Urban Barn comes in a streamlined glass shape and soft green colour that will be at home in any space. Available in two sizes. urbanbarn.com

A Chic Cushion

The pretty, striped Piccolo is one of the classic patterns produced by the Finnish design firm Marimekko. Painted with vivid brushstrokes of green on pink, this organic cotton canvas cushion cover adds a fresh note to any room. marimekko.com

Bring a little romance to a room with the Enamorada Floral peel-andstick wallpaper from Canadian Timberlea Interiors. It features lush peach blossoms and soft green foliage against a sophisticated palepink backdrop. It's easy to install and so versatile it works as well on a feature wall as it does in a full-room makeover. timberleaco.com

A Pretty (and Washable!) Rug Lady Whistledown would approve. This collab between Ruggables and the steamy Netflix show Bridgerton has produced a “Modern Regency” line featuring machine-washable tufted rugs in a variety of patterns, including this flirty Royal Garden design. ruggable.com

An Artful Bouquet Spring flowers only last a short time; artist Kathy Bradshaw’s floral paintings last a lifetime. In Charmed, blowsy blossoms unfurl in shades of pink and gold, made textural with encaustic, oil stick and fresco on a cradled panel. Available at Gallery Merrick. gallerymerrick.com

Smart Matter

Kitchen appliances are slowly catching up with the latest smarthome technology.

Look away for a minute and a whole new technology seems to appear out of nowhere. So it is with Matter.

Matter is an opensourced software layer that’s designed to provide a common language for all your smart home devices. It allows them to communicate via Internet Protocol without relying on the cloud; it’s also designed to be secure, private, widely compatible and easy to set up. Among the smart home platforms that support Matter are Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings and Apple Home; the devices they support include lighting, thermostats, locks, robot vacuums, smoke alarms, air quality monitors, EV chargers and more.

Although Matter’s been around since 2022, you won’t find many Matter-supported appliances such as fridges, dishwashers and ovens available for purchase. At least, not yet. Bosch is among the first to implement Matter in its home appliances; it’s done so in its Bosch 100 Series French Door fridge, which should be on the market sometime this spring.

Terrific Towels

If you’ve been looking to freshen up your bathroom, look into the Abyss.

There’s nothing like stepping out of the shower and wrapping yourself in a luxuriously deeppiled towel. Welcome to Abyss, makers of some of the finest towels and rugs on the planet.

This Portuguese company uses 100-per-cent Giza Egyptian cotton in the warp, weft and pile of its luxury towels, making them more absorbent, durable and colourfast than most others on the market.

They come in a wide range of sizes and 60 gorgeous colours, ranging from plain old white to vivid hues like Viva Magenta, Atlantic blue and emerald green, with dozens of colours in between.

Abyss towels are available through several local retailers; to find one near you, visit abysscanada.com.

The many styles of Abyss towels include Vasco (above) and Super Pile in the colour Atlantic.

ARTFULLY DECO

Take that 1920s sense of escapism, luxury and glamour, but make it contemporary.

Acentury after it first became a thing, Art Deco somehow still feels revolutionary and decadent yet, at the same time, classic and refined. It is, above all, a sophisticated style, and it’s one that’s making a comeback right now.

Or maybe it never really went away. It’s kind of hard to say.

All we know is that we love its clean lines, bold colours, geometric shapes and luxurious materials — and its sumptuous yet restrained look feels somehow right for this moment in time.

Art Deco is a celebration of the decorative — as opposed to fine — arts, its name derived from the Exhibition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, which was held in Paris from April 28 to October 25, 1925. Think of it as modernism made into fashion and home décor, featuring items made from both natural materials (jade, silver, gold, ivory, crystal, precious woods and fine silks) and manufactured ones, especially plastics such as Bakelite. And although Art Deco pieces were rarely mass-produced, they often had the streamlined and symmetrical look of machine-made items.

Its influences were many and included turn-of-the-century movements like Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, Secession, Bauhaus and Cubism, as well as ancient Egypt and other classical sources. It developed offshoots like the more streamlined 1930s architectural style known as Art Moderne and the vibrant, candy-coloured hues of Miami Art Deco.

Classics of Art Deco design include NYC’s Chrysler Building or Empire State Building, the jewelry and crystal sculptures of René Lalique, fashions by Erté and Paul Poiret, furniture designs by Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann and Maurice Dufrène, and artworks by Deco darling Tamara de Lempicka, who has in the past year been featured in both a Broadway musical and an exhibition at the de Young Museum in San Francisco.

Art Deco was all the rage among the frivolous flappers and louche lounge lizards of the 1920s and ’30s, then went out of style in the darker, more earnest days of the Second World War. Since then it has reappeared from time to time, always slightly different but with a similar esthetic. Right now it seems to be a transitional style that’s taking us from the stark white-and-grey minimalism of the last decade or so and into whatever the next big thing will be.

You don’t want to turn your place into a Prohibition-era museum, so if you want to work some Deco into your décor consider sumptuous materials like velvet and brushed brass; geometric items like round mirrors, square pavers, fan-patterned wallpaper and chevron tiles; sleek and/or slightly curved silhouettes, retro-inspired light fixtures and, of course, deep, rich, opulent colour.

COOL CURVES

Designer Athena Calderone’s collection for Crate & Barrel is full-on inspired by the elements of Art Deco, from the rounded forms to the streamlined silhouettes to the sumptuous materials. Among the standout pieces is the compact Coquette Burl Wood accent chair, with its swooping curves, attractively grained walnut burl veneer and a thick, round cushion upholstered in an ivory linen blend. crateandbarrel.ca

LUXE LIGHTING

Combine a vintage vibe with a modern touch in beautiful sconces, pendants and chandeliers that evoke the 1920s without actually copying them. Look for milky or frosted glass, brushed or textured metals (especially brass) and streamlined, geometric shapes like this Harper brass single sconce from Anthropologie. anthropologie.com/en-ca

BAR CART TO GO

The 1920s were the heyday of cocktail culture and no self-respecting bright young thing would consider furnishing their place without a bar cart. Neither should you — you can, of course, use it for books, plants or other décor items if you don’t plan to shake up a Sidecar or two. The Arcade Bar Cart by Gus* Modern is inspired by Art Deco, but made contemporary with a geometric curved metal frame, rounded plywood shelves and solid wood handle and wheels. Available at Gabriel Ross. grshop.com

GEOMETRIC SHAPES

Reflect some of that between-the-wars glamour with a round mirror and geometric details in contrasting hues. The Isolde mirror from Moe’s Home Collection features hand-laid Torrento and black marble in an alternating light and dark pattern that captures an Art Deco feel in a thoroughly contemporary way. moeshome.com

WALLPAPER THAT WOWS

Opulent wall coverings are very Art Deco, especially when they feature streamlined geometric patterns like fans or circles in rich colours and opulent metallic accents. This Sun Circles Wallpaper from Decor2Go gleams with gold on an emerald background for a touch of sophisticated and versatile modern luxury. decor2go.ca

HOW TO

BY CAROLYN CAMILLERI

10 Steps to Replace a Faucet

If you prepare properly and follow instructions carefully, you really can do it yourself.

Replacing a faucet is a DIY project that can be rewarding, provided you do some homework first. Preparing ahead, following instructions and understanding your limitations are the keys to success. After all, working upside down in a small, dark space is not for everyone.

Here are some things to consider before you start.

How old is your home? If your home is less than, say, 40 years old, changing a faucet can be fairly straightforward because most fittings will be universal. However, if your home is older, get someone with experience involved. Older plumbing systems can be fragile.

Find your water shut-off valves. In most kitchens and bathrooms, these will be under the sink — one for cold and one for hot. You should be able to turn them fairly easily. If they don’t

turn easily or if you see corrosion or damage, you may need to replace the supply lines, which is quite straightforward, or the water valve, which is a bigger project and not one to tackle on your own.

If you don’t have two water shut-off valves under the sink, you have to turn off the main water supply and also the hot water heater.

Truly, you should always know how to turn off the main water supply in your home and especially before a plumbing project (see Step 1 and 2 on the next page).

While you are under the sink, check for electrical plugs or connections (for a garburator, for instance). These will need to be disconnected and shut off at the breaker before you do anything else.

Count the mounting holes in your sink or countertop. The new faucet has to work with the mounting holes you have now. In

some cases, deck plates can be used to cover unneeded mounting holes. To be sure, bring a photo to the store when you buy the faucet.

Ask questions at the store. While most faucets come ready to assemble and install, you will need some basic tools. Questions to ask: What kind of tools do I need? Will I need silicone or plumber’s putty? If your water lines need replacing, ask if the faucet comes with them.

Watch and learn. In addition to YouTube, stores like Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, Home Depot and Rona+ have step-by-step instructions on their websites or videos you can watch.

Allow enough time. Sure, the YouTube video might say it only takes an hour, but who needs that kind of pressure?

Before you start, you will need:

STEP BY STEP

• An adjustable wrench (the one with movable “jaws”) • A faucet wrench (very helpful for hard-to-reach nuts)

• Pliers and a multi-bit screwdriver • A bucket and old rags • Putty knife (if using silicone or plumber’s putty)

• Penetrating oil (i.e., 3-IN-ONE or WD40) in case old fasteners are stuck • An all-important work light

1 Shut off the water.

2. Detach water supply lines from the valves using a wrench. (Have your bucket and rag ready!) Be very careful not to jiggle anything loose behind the cabinets.

3. Remove water supply lines connected to the underside of the old faucet and the mounting nut stabilizing the old faucet, as well as any other fasteners. This is where penetrating oil comes in handy.

4. From above, gently lift out the old faucet. Clean and dry the area well.

5 Assemble the new faucet as per manufacturer’s instructions.

6. Line the new deck plate up over the mounting holes. Attach the supply lines and place the new faucet as per manufacturer’s instructions.

7. Under the sink, install the new stabilizing hardware.

8. Attach the water supply lines to the water valves. Tighten nuts finger tight, then use a wrench. (The nuts should be tight, but not over tight.)

9. Put the bucket under the sink and turn the water supply valves on.

10 Gently turn on the new taps and check for leaks. If you find leaks, tighten connections using a wrench, but don’t overtighten. Note: Overtightening nuts on water lines can rupture or damage the fittings, causing leaks and even burst pipes weeks (yes, weeks!) later.

MAKE A SPLASH 10

design trends

to turn your bathroom into a lookie loo (and five to flush).

BY SPRUCE STAFF

The bathroom is one of the busiest, most hardworking rooms in your house, but it doesn’t have to look like a purely functional space. It can be tranquil and soothing, opulent and glamorous, or simply a pretty yet well-organized place where you brush your teeth. Don’t forget: When it comes to renovations, the bathroom is second only to the kitchen in the value it provides. If you’re thinking it’s time to freshen up the room where you, well, freshen up, follow these trends for some beautiful inspiration.

1. A Place for Wellness

Spa-inspired bathrooms have been a top trend for quite some time now, and they're not showing any signs of going away. Think: soft colours, natural materials, calming fragrances and comforting bath linens, as well as rainforest showers and deep, luxurious soaking tubs.

Now the spa bathroom is merging with two other big trends: a love of nature and all things tech. Technology is bringing us smart (and superhygienic) toilets, temperature-controlled steam showers and chromotherapy lighting, which uses colour to enhance your mental well-being. Meanwhile, not only are we bringing living plants into the loo, those of us who have the space are adding outdoor features like cold plunges, showers, saunas and lounge seating, accessible directly from the primary bath.

2. Bold Patterns

From geometric tiles to intricate wallpaper to marble slabs with dramatic veining, it’s all about bold colours and patterns right now. Wallpaper is especially on trend, in floral prints, geometric shapes, textured materials and/or abstract designs, adding character and bold personal expression to your space. Feel free to mix patterns and textures, even metals, and express your creativity, especially in a small space like a powder room.

3. A Little Romance

For some time, bathroom design has been all about a sleek, modern and minimalist esthetic. But now some designers are swinging the other way, back to traditional décor with a more romantic, opulent, even maximalist vibe. We’re not talking tacky gold toilets, but rich, refined colours, textures and materials, such as dark wood, unlacquered brass, polished nickel, plush fabrics and stand-alone cabinetry or credenzalike vanities in vintage styles.

YES, YOU CAN ADD A SECOND BATHROOM!

In Victoria, many of us live in smaller, older houses with a limited number of bathrooms and puzzle over how to add another one to our homes. Luckily, local designers and builders have become experts at finding ways to squeeze an ensuite or shower into the tiniest of spaces. Some smart solutions include: tucking a powder room under the stairs; turning a closet into a bijou loo; building a just-big-enough addition or bump-out; setting up an outdoor shower in the backyard; even fitting a toilet and sink under the sloped eaves in an attic.

4. Eco-Friendly Features

It’s time for an upgrade to fixtures that benefit both you and the planet. Among them: low-flow toilets, water-saving showerheads, energy-efficient LED bulbs and Energy Star appliances, which all have the added benefit of lowering utility bills without sacrificing performance. At the same time, we’re seeing more use of sustainable materials like bamboo, reclaimed wood, rehomed fixtures, natural stone and recycled glass, which lessen our impact on the planet while still looking good.

5. Stylish Storage

Control clutter with smart storage solutions like built-in shelves, hidden cabinets and recessed niches, and use drawer organizers and bins to keep toiletries and cosmetics neatly organized. Add shelving to your shower to keep products tidy. If you have space, consider a stand-alone cabinet for linens and other essentials.

6. Layered Lighting

When it comes to lighting, your bathroom has a variety of needs, and a single ceiling light just can’t meet them all. Consider: bright sconces or built-in lighting around your mirror so you can see when shaving or putting on makeup; pot lights for general brightness; undercounter or floorlevel night lighting; and a chandelier or pendants to make a statement. Everything should be on dimmers, too, so you can set the mood you want.

Sconces we love: the Marblestone (left) and the Nelly vanity lights from Light House. lighthouse.co.ca

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7. Inviting Colours

White will never go completely out of style for a bathroom, but the white-onwhite-on-white look is definitely dated, and the days of all greys are numbered, too. Instead, think soft, soothing, nature-inspired earthy hues, ocean-inspired blues, sage greens and soft brownish colours like beige, taupe or Pantone’s colour of the year, Mocha Mousse. If you crave drama, you can always go a bit more intense with ochre, burgundy, dark blue or emerald.

8. Inspired by Nature

Perhaps the biggest influence on design of late has been the world right outside our doors. Natural stone, wood accents and sustainable materials are all having a moment right now — well, more than a moment. These materials work in every type of décor, but they especially keep minimalistic spaces from looking cold and unwelcoming by adding warmth and patina. And don’t forget to add some live plants, even a living wall, which will improve air quality while looking beautiful.

9. Smart Technology

There is no shortage of high-tech upgrades you can introduce to your bathroom, from heated floors to smart thermostats to mirrors with integrated TVs and Bluetooth-operated speakers. Smart showers will let you customize your water temperature and pressure; smart lighting will let you control brightness and mood. And smart toilets will do everything from wash and dry your dainty bits to open the seat automatically, play the music you like and even clean themselves.

Above: The QAIO smart LED bathroom mirror with built-in TV screen, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

ELEMENTS OF A SPA-STYLE BATHROOM

• Spacious walk-in shower

• Deep soaking tub

• Soft, soothing colours

• Colour therapy to boost your mood

• Candles and soft lighting

• Relaxing fragrances such as lavender and eucalyptus

• Living walls or potted plants

• Chair or bench for lounging

• Smart features such as a bidet-toilet, aromatherapy shower, heated towel racks, high-tech ventilation systems, water-saving technology

10. Personalized Style

If your bathroom looks like it was just assembled from a flatpack, you’re doing it wrong. Design is all about expressing your personality right now, especially in this most personal of all rooms. Even if your base is all white, consider adding whimsical wallpaper, custom vanities, plants in funky pots, charmingly framed mirrors, interesting hardware fixtures and luxe linens like monogrammed towels. Above all, add a couple of pieces of art for a space that is both functional and deeply personal.

Broadmead Village Shopping Centre 310-777 Royal Oak Drive 250-727-3505 pharmasavebroadmead.com

5 TRENDS CIRCLING THE DRAIN

You probably already know if your bathroom is out of date. It’s not as functional as you’d like, and you don’t want to spend much time in it. But before you start fretting over paint colours and hardware styles, it’s more important to make sure everything works and that you have a place for all your toiletries, bath linens, hair appliances and other accoutrements so they aren’t cluttering up the place. Then you can give a side-eye to these dated trends.

All-White or Grey Bathrooms

White and grey will always be key colours in a bathroom, but if the room is all true white or all grey, it can look cold, uninviting and super unflattering. Even if you like a clean, cool hue, mix in some warmer tones and natural elements like wood, stone or living plants.

Jacuzzi and Whirlpool Tubs

You might think these tubs would fit right into our obsession with wellness and home spas, but have you seen the gunge that comes out of them? Ick. Consider a backyard sauna instead. But if you're still willing to trade high maintenance for a steamy soak, sanitize your hot tub frequently and thoroughly, and ensure your bathroom has good air circulation to avoid moisture buildup.

Fussy Tile Countertops

You don’t want anything in your bathroom that is hard to clean, and we feel that scrubbing tiled counters with a toothbrush is right up there with things we’d rather not do. Also over: the micro trend of boldly coloured grout.

Bad Lighting

If there is one room where you need to see what you’re doing, this is it. Any lighting that doesn’t (a) illuminate properly and (b) flatter you just a little bit is out, out, out. That includes Edison bulbs, those LED-backlit mirrors and rooms that only have a single central ceiling fixture. Invest in a pair of sconces.

Non-Functional Design

One thing that is always out of style is poor design that makes your bathroom less functional. Showers should have grab bars for safety, shelves for shampoo and a place to prop your leg while shaving it. Also: Doors should open in a way that doesn't block access or traffic flow, towels need a place to hang, outlets should be located where you need them and your fan should actually work.

CHILDREN’S HEALTH FOUNDATION OF VANCOUVER ISLAND

Keeping Island families close to their kids

Thousands of families on Vancouver Island have children with complex health needs. Many need to travel long distances to access care.

The stress and cost associated with these journeys is significant, if not prohibitive. Parents’ time away from work is often a significant financial hit. In the most extreme of cases, delayed care means urgent situations escalate. Children and their families are paying an unthinkable price — all because of geography.

That’s where Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island comes in. Its mission is to support these families along their journeys, making sure that neither cost nor distance stands in the way of a child getting the health care they need.

Formerly known as the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children, the charity has a storied history on Vancouver Island going back nearly 100 years.

Today, they’re best known for their Homes Away From Home. The Foundation owns and operates two 10-bedroom homes on hospital campuses: Jeneece Place in Victoria and walayu House in Campbell River. They provide welcoming, affordable accommodation for families who need to travel to these communities to access health care for their child — saving them time, money and allowing them to focus on their child’s well-being.

Spaces designed with Island families in mind

walayu House was built in 2021, inspired by the success of Jeneece Place, which opened in 2012.

“We saw the relief on the faces of tired parents when they realized they had a place to stay just steps from their child in hospital. We knew that if we could replicate that model for North Island communities, we could make things better for so many more families,” explains Veronica Carroll, CEO of the Foundation.

The project’s architect, Alan Lowe — who also designed Jeneece Place — was intentional about the look and feel of the home.

Drawing inspiration from its natural surroundings, Alan introduced several wood features, from wood elements over the entryway to exposed wood beams throughout the main floor living areas.

walayu House is surrounded by green space and wildlife, even offering a glimpse of the ocean — providing a comforting reminder of home for Island families. “We can’t change what families are going through, but we can support them along the way, reduce their stress and ultimately enable better health outcomes for their kids,” adds Carroll.

The Foundation’s work is funded entirely by donors. Learn more and get involved at islandkidsfirst.com.

SEAFIRST INSURANCE

People caring about people

High Value Home clients have coverage, liability and asset protection that goes beyond the average home, which is why SeaFirst Insurance offers a “concierge service model” led by four outstanding individuals (pictured above): Loretta Copley, Kim Topping, Jessica Oberg and Kerri Koome.

People caring about people

Ensuring that each interaction begins with acknowledgment, appreciation and a genuine effort to understand clients’ unique needs is a top priority. Whether for a primary, seasonal or vacation home, or for coverage related to boats or travel insurance, this team provides tailored solutions with clarity and care. Their dedication to making insurance meaningful for clients is one of their standout strengths. At SeaFirst, every client has the right to understand how their coverage benefits them. The team focuses on educating clients about their policies and the protections they offer, ensuring that personal and business assets and liabilities are comprehensively safeguarded. In addition to personal

coverage, SeaFirst’s outstanding commercial team is ready to assist with business operations and property ownership needs. By listening to clients, the team has learned that many initially view purchasing insurance as a chore — simply a box to check. This is why SeaFirst’s client service philosophy is centered on transforming what often feels like a daunting task into a positive, even empowering, experience. The team is committed to every client who reaches out, whether in person, by phone, email or through social media.

coverage, SeaFirst’s outstanding commercial team is ready to assist with business operations and property ownership needs.

By listening to clients, the team has learned that many initially view purchasing insurance as a chore — simply a box to check. This is why SeaFirst’s client service philosophy is centered on transforming what often feels like a daunting task into a positive, even empowering, experience. The team is committed to every client who reaches out, whether in person, by phone, email or through social media.

SeaFirst’s culture of care extends beyond its offices and into the community. With over 100 employees across Greater Victoria and the Gulf Islands, the company is deeply embedded in the regions it serves.

At SeaFirst, every client has the right to understand how their coverage benefits them. The team focuses on educating clients about their policies and the protections they offer, ensuring that personal and business assets and liabilities are comprehensively safeguarded. In addition to personal

Team members contribute as volunteers, board members and mentors, supporting youth organizations, arts and cultural events, nonprofits and volunteer firefighters. This community-first mindset underscores the belief that insurance is about more than

policies — it’s about people.

“We Got You” is SeaFirst’s commitment to understanding and responding to clients’ needs and following through with solutions. Across its six locations on lower Vancouver Island, SeaFirst’s knowledgeable teams take pride in providing best-in-class service, from the initial inquiry to claims handling, providing a seamless and supportive experience at every step. With SeaFirst, clients can feel confident that “We Got You” truly means you are in good hands.

policies — it’s about people.

Left to right: Loretta Copley, Kim Topping, Jessica Oberg and Kerri Koome

Variety BC’s grants help families afford necessary mobility equipment like adaptive strollers.

grant VARIETY – THE CHILDREN’S CHARITY OF BC

Gabriella

receives a life-changing mobility

At five months pregnant, Aceneth and her husband received the difficult news that their unborn daughter had a heart disease. At once, everything changed. More doctors’ appointments, more worry, more unknowns. Survival became the focus.

After Gabriella was born the family spent seven months in the hospital, which included heart surgery when she was just one and a half months old. “It was really hard because we were trying to figure out what was going on,” says Aceneth.

Eventually, doctors determined Gabriella had Bardet-Biedl syndrome, a genetic disorder that can affect many systems in the body. She also had heart and lung complications, a global developmental delay and autism. She needed constant care and frequent hospital stays.

Cherishing every moment

“Basically we can just give her the best quality of life we can, living day by day, make

her happy as much as we can,” Aceneth says.

Gabriella is a happy child who loves anything to do with music. She watches music videos on YouTube, dancing along in her chair. Her favourites include Ms. Rachel, Cocomelon and Raffi. She also likes playing drums and maracas.

Her parents are doing what they can to help Gabriella live a full life, including physiotherapy to help with her mobility and speech-language therapy to increase the ways she’s able to communicate. However, getting to and from specialist appointments, music lessons and outings with friends can be challenging.

Gabriella needs her feeding bag, aspirator and extra supplies with her at all times. This equipment is heavy and awkward and her current wheelchair doesn’t have space to store it. It’s also primarily designed for indoor or street travel, limiting where Gabriella can go. The family needed an adapted stroller that would make it easier for them to travel.

A life-changing grant

With other funding options already exhausted, they applied to Variety – The Children’s Charity of BC for a mobility equipment grant. Each grant is tailored to fill gaps in healthcare or private insurance plans, helping families get the best care and equipment for their children — care they might not otherwise be able to afford.

The new stroller has plenty of storage space and all-terrain wheels. Now, Gabriella can explore more of her world, including going to visit her grandparent’s farm. “It’s going to change our life a lot,” says Aceneth. “We can go outside more.”

A MASTERPIECE OF COASTAL MODERNISM

Instead of the simple reno they had in mind, a couple finds their dream home in this cliffside natural beauty.

BY CARLA SORRELL | PHOTOS BY JODY BECK

Tired of the long winters, and resolute that their retirement would involve less snow shovelling, this mountain-loving Calgary couple looked to Victoria, where their children were attending university at the time. After three years spent searching, they found their dream property — a protected, southfacing waterfront home with good transport connections to get off-Island — and Murray and Julie embarked on a renovation turned new build. They started by working with the team at Horizon Pacific Contracting, who connected them with architect Pamela Úbeda to help transform the existing house through a new roofline and slew of interior upgrades. But when the contractors broke ground, what they discovered threw a spanner in the works. Cracks in the leaking foundation, a lingering, musty water smell in the basement and rodent and ant

infestations resulted in a pause to the project.

“At the end of the day, that was what led us to [reconsider],” says Julie. “If we’re going to stay here for the next 20 or 30 years, we should look into the new build.”

ALL THE MOD CONS AND MORE

Fortunately they were already working with Úbeda. Her portfolio of West Coast Modern residential new builds, coupled with her familiarity with the property and the owners, made for an exciting prospect.

On deciding to start from scratch, they tried different configurations of the home, but in the end it was clear that the original footprint made the most of the lot. The new design maintained a similar floor plan, adding a single bedroom on the main floor that extended along the angle of the shoreline.

“We were able to add the things that we wouldn’t have been able to in the renovation, like the deck expansion, higher ceilings and [a design that] takes advantage of views on all three floors,” says Julie.

With the long term in mind, the new design reimagined what aging in place could look like for Murray and Julie, who would have had to negotiate the original bungalow’s sunken floors. Now their 6,541-square-foot, three-storey home includes a garage, a main-floor bedroom, an elevator shaft (currently used for storage) and a bonus space above the garage that could eventually become a caregiver’s suite. For now it is an exercise room with an unexpected treat for Murray, whose golf simulator has found a home in this room with a 270-degree view.

The lot’s deep slope provided the protection Murray and Julie were originally looking

Above: While the original plan was to renovate the bungalow on this dramatic coastal site, circumstances meant the owners had to build anew. Architect Pamela Úbeda's design followed the original footprint, with some thoughtful enhancements, to create a beauty of West Coast Modernism.

for, while making for an interesting design challenge. Approaching the house from the street, you literally arrive at the same elevation as the roof, if not a little higher. Of the original house, Murray notes: “It was just being eaten up by the site.” The additional level created by adding the caregiver’s suite helped to elevate the home’s profile, and “get it out of the ground.”

A ROOF THAT MAKES WAVES

“The really interesting thing about this project, architecturally, is that because you’re entering from the top of the second floor, at street level you can see the rear roof from the street, so it was really important what these roofs looked like,” says Úbeda.

After undertaking multiple roof studies and mocking up a flat roof, a shed roof and a butterfly roof, they finally settled on a curved roof.

“It wasn’t even a metaphor,” says Úbeda with a laugh. “It just seemed like the right gentle approach from the street to the ocean.”

While the curved glulams give the home its West Coast charm by simulating the waves of the ocean, they were probably “one of the biggest challenges in the whole grand scheme of the home,” says Tim Agar, managing partner at Horizon and principal project manager.

DREAM REALLY DO COME TRUE

“That’s not your typical roof system,” he says. “It’s a flat roof plus a slope roof. A bit of it’s a metal roof, but you have to do another roof underneath it. Getting that length of glulams down the skinny roads to get it there and installed on site definitely was a bit of a struggle.”

But it was a worthwhile struggle.

Julie and Murray worked collaboratively with Úbeda through an iterative design process, trusting her advice and learning to reflect on what they really wanted in a home. Even after three versions of the construction drawings, the couple realized, late in the day, that they wanted to cover the lower deck, adding seating and heaters to extend the outdoor living window year round, a quality they enjoyed on a small, covered deck in their Calgary home.

“That’s the fun part of a custom home. We walk the client through the whole project, always looking for opportunities that they find important,” says Úbeda.

DECKS FOR ALL SEASONS

The builders joked that it’s the most deck they have ever put on a house. Bedrooms have their own private decks, the primary bedroom has a private deck with a hot tub while the top-floor suite has a sweeping rooftop deck.

It’s just one way the home is designed to take in the views. Other features include maximizing windows to bring in natural light and set the home against nature’s backdrop, bringing the outdoors in. Úbeda designed corner windows wherever possible so that views would not be obstructed between rooms.

“We’re not really super modern people. We like the comfort and coziness of smaller spaces,” says

The builders at Horizon Pacific Contracting joke that this is the most deck they've ever put on a house. In addition to the massive deck on the roof, each bedroom has its own outdoor space as does the living room. That means the homeowners and their guests can enjoy being surrounded by nature, whether they are dining or soaking in the hot tub.

In the main-floor living room, Úbeda's openplan design features an 18-foot pop-up ceiling for a serious wow factor — yet manages to feel cozy and intimate at the same time. Adding to the airy ambience is the trio of Mike Randall-designed lights suspended from the ceiling.

Above: Designer Pamela Billinghurst transformed the primary ensuite into a serenely contemporary refuge with spalike features and stunning harbour views.

Julie, noting that they were more accustomed to chalet-style homes. “So at first, the appeal of the open areas wasn’t really our jam.”

Úbeda found a way to maintain the cozy experience that made Julie and Murray feel at home while adding an open-plan wow factor through a pop-up, 18-foot ceiling in the mainfloor living room, a feature that also helped to create the height they wanted to achieve in the property, lifting it off the deep slope. The adjacent kitchen, dining and family rooms are separate 10-foot-high spaces, maintaining a sense of intimacy, as though the whole floor expands and contracts around you.

Natural materials abound in this home, especially the characteristic hallmarks of West Coast Modern style: wood, stone and glass. Interior designer Pamela Billinghurst added some iconic local furniture, like the trio of Mike Randall Design lights suspended in the living room. Her “impeccable taste and attention to detail made our dream home come true,” Murray says of working with Billinghurst.

All in all, the project was a long one: a threeyear search followed by the renovation and a two-year build, and all of it through the COVID pandemic period. But good things come to those who wait. Ten years after purchasing the property, Murray and Julie are finally making the transition to their new home, and this summer will be their first on the Island.

Clean lines, top-tier appliances, easy flow and natural materials that echo the surrounding environment make the kitchen a happy hub for social gatherings.

RESOURCE LIST

Builder: Horizon Pacific Contracting

Architect: Coast + Beam Architecture

Interior designer: Pamela Billinghurst Interior Design

Plumbing, mechanical and heating: H.I. Mechanical

Electrician: Amped Electrical Contracting

Light fixtures: Mike Randall Design, McLaren Lighting

Cabinets and woodwork: Splinters Millworks

Doors and hardware: Pella Windows and Doors, Oakridge Windows & Doors, Home Lumber & Building Supplies

Top Line Roofing

Flooring and tile: Island Floor Centre

Rock/stone work: JT Stonework & Landscaping, City Brick Contracting, K2 Stone

Kitchen appliances: Trail Appliances

King’s Granite Canada

Plumbing fixtures: Splashes Bath & Kitchen

Wilk Stove

Pella Windows and Doors

Slegg Building Materials

Zapco Welding & Fabricating

Golden Appeal Landscaping

LESSONS FROM MY KITCHEN

Before you start your own kitchen reno, here’s some handy advice from someone who’s been there.

BY JOANNE SASVARI

When we bought our cute little 1941 cottage, we weren’t planning on a kitchen reno. We’d already spent plenty of money on the place and, besides, the kitchen was one of the things we fell in love with — a big, sunny room with charming, vintage details and a sprawling island we thought would be perfect for entertaining.

And then I cooked in it and it was terrible

Those vintage cabinets were hard to open and harder to close. Except for a couple of hours a day, the room was actually very dark and the ancient pot lights cast shadows everywhere. There was no dishwasher, no hood vent, no room for countertop appliances and almost no outlets to plug them into. And the original-to-the-house farmhouse sink was — actually, the less said about that the better.

But the worst thing was the floor plan, all pinch points and awkward angles, with the main traffic flow traipsing through the narrow work zone. More than once I almost stabbed my husband as he wandered behind me while I was chopping veg. Not on purpose. Really.

All of this would be frustrating for anyone, but I also write about food, test recipes for cookbooks and love to entertain. The kitchen is my place, yet the kitchen was the last room I wanted to spend any time in. It quickly became apparent that a down-to-the-studs renovation was inevitable.

Now, thanks to the crack team at Green Island Builders, I have a kitchen I really love. It has some of the romantic/ vintage French vibe I like so much, but at the same time is truly functional.

Before: The kitchen's vintage charms weren't enough to make up for its awkward pinch points and other flaws, like not having a dishwasher or hood vent for the stove.

Left: After a down-to-the-studs renovation, the kitchen has a more functional flow, updated appliances and tons of counter space — but still retains its vintage vibe.

It has acres of counter space and layered lighting that goes from soft and moody to so bright you could perform surgery. It has functional appliances, a logical layout and a place for everything, including an appliance garage, vertical storage for sheet pans and cutting boards, and a magic corner for cookware. It has charming details like the ogee bevel countertops and the archway that leads into the dining room. And it has the most beautiful baker’s bench, with a Vancouver Island marble countertop, tons of drawers for my baking supplies and a work surface that’s exactly the right height for me.

Of course, it took several months and an enormous learning curve to get there. I was lucky enough to have friends share their own experiences and cautionary tales, but there’s a whole lot more I wish I’d known before I started. So now I’m sharing the rules I learned to help you with your next reno.

A FLOOR PLAN THAT WORKS

There's more than one way to lay out a kitchen. These are the six most popular floor plans.

1. One wall or "Pullman" kitchens have cabinetry lined up on a single wall. 2. Galley or walk-through kitchens feature two parallel walls of cabinets. 3. L-shaped kitchens have their cabinetry on two corners, forming a versatile "L." 4. U-shaped layouts have three walls of cabinetry.

5. Island-centred kitchens create additional storage and workspace.

6. Peninsulas are connected islands that convert L-shaped layouts into U's — or sometimes a G, as you see here in my kitchen.

THE RULES

RULE #1: Be clear about your budget.

Google how much a kitchen reno costs in Victoria and the answer is typically around $20,000. Don’t believe a word of it. Yes, you can make some significant improvements for that amount, especially if you’re handy at DIY, but the reality is that a real reno will cost $50,000 or more, sometimes much more.

Pro tip: Be realistic both about how much you can afford and what you are likely to get for it. And whatever your budget, be prepared to spend 10 to 30 per cent more than expected.

RULE #2: Don’t cut corners.

When costs keep adding up, it’s tempting to find cheaper ways of doing things. But that can be a false economy. Without exception, everyone I asked told me their greatest regret was sacrificing something they really wanted for something less expensive. In some cases, replacing or fixing it later cost more money than if it had been done properly in the first place.

Pro tip: Know what really matters to you, and be prepared to spend the money it costs.

RULE #3: Do your research.

You will be making a lot of decisions, often on the fly, so it’s good to know what you want — and what you don’t — before you start. It’s also wise to have some understanding of trends and terminology, especially when discussing things with your contractors. Spend time researching books, magazines and websites, and talk to friends who’ve gone through their own renos for details about their experiences.

Pro tip: Create a mood board of the things that appeal to you, from paints to appliances to hardware. Collect images on a platform like Pinterest, then share them with your designer.

RULE #4: Be conscious of trends.

… but don’t feel you have to follow them. You don’t want a kitchen that looks dated, but if Scandi-minimalism isn’t your thing, you hate warm earth tones and loathe bold, veiny stone, you absolutely should not have them in your kitchen.

Pro tip: Be honest with yourself — and your design-build team — about what you like and what you don’t.

Design Victoria is a four-day festival celebrating community and creativity in Victoria. From 1–4 May, experience dozens of free design events, from workshops to talks and tours, taking place across the city. Explore the program online and sign up for the newsletter to be the first to hear about ticket releases and other exclusive offers.

designvictoria.ca @designyyj

RULE #5: Know how you’ll use the space.

Do you have pets or kids? Are you planning to use your kitchen for Zoom calls or as a part-time office? Do you do a lot of baking? Is your kitchen where you do your entertaining? Are you a serious gourmet cook — or are you more likely to stock your fridge with Champagne and store shoes in your oven? Everyone has different needs for their kitchen, so be sure yours are met.

Pro tip: The most expensive thing you’ll spend money on is likely your cabinetry, so ensure the shelves, drawers and special features work for you. Do you need an appliance garage? A magic corner? Inserts for cutlery? A special drawer for spices or baking pans? Make sure it’s in the plans.

RULE #6: Hire a designer.

You may have some pretty clear ideas about how you want your kitchen to look, but a professional has the know-how to make it look good, fit in the space, source the materials and ensure that all the components work together and meet any codes.

Pro tip: Your design-build crew should have a floor plan, schedule and other specifications. Make sure they do, and make sure you get a copy of the plans.

RULE #7: Hire a general contractor.

Since COVID, the cost of everything has gone through the roof. As a result, more of us are turning to DIY or taking a more patchwork approach to renovations. That’s fine as long as you are only doing a simple project like replacing a baseboard or switching out a faucet. But once you have a project that involves multiple trades, such as plumbing, millwork and tiling, it’s essential to hire a general contractor to oversee everything. The up-front cost might seem high, but in the long term you will save money, time and stress.

Pro tip: Wondering how to find a contractor? Every home featured in Spruce and YAM magazines has a list of local resources from architects to plumbers, tilers and appliance sales. This is a great place to start your search.

Above all, a kitchen has to work the way you need it to. The Green Island Builders team suggested adding a baker's bench, and it's become my favourite feature of the kitchen. It's just the right height for me and has loads of counter space and storage for supplies. But I also love the built-in wine racks and the "magic corner" with its swing-out shelves for pots and pans.

JEFFREY BOSDET/SPRUCE MAGAZINE

RULE #8: Consider your materials.

When it comes to the materials you choose for, say, countertops or flooring, there are enormous differences in cost, appearance and functionality, not to mention durability and maintenance. You may love the luxurious look of marble countertops, for instance, but marble is soft, porous, easily scratched, prone to staining and needs to be sealed periodically. You may be better off with quartz, a manufactured stone that is stronger, harder and less prone to stains and scratches. Do your research and beware of the pros and cons of whatever you choose.

Pro tip: Consider sustainability when choosing your materials. Will they last? Do they require a lot of fuel miles to ship or toxic materials to produce? Will they last a long time, or need to be replaced in a year or two? Are they recyclable or biodegradable?

Right: As a recipe tester and cookbook writer, functionality was key for me, so most of the most of the countertops here are durable, easy-tomaintain quartz, but the baker's bench is marble, better for controlling temperature when making pastry or candy. And practical can also mean pretty — I'm smitten with the vintage look of the counters' ogee-bevelled edges.

JEFFREY BOSDET/SPRUCE

RULE #9: Lighting Matters.

When you’re working with high heat and sharp knives, you want to be able to see what you’re doing. For that you need bright lighting that illuminates your work zones and doesn’t cast shadows where you least need them. But you also likely want softer, more intimate lighting for when you entertain or just hang out. Consider at least three layers of lighting: bright, recessed ceiling (pot) lights for all over illumination; under-cabinet lighting for task-specific zones; pendants and sconces for eye-level lighting and attractive focal points.

Pro tip: Put everything on a dimmer.

RULE #10: Communication is key. Your design-build team are the experts, but you’re the one who has to live in your space. Be clear about what you want and what you don’t. If you don’t understand something, ask. If you have concerns about the way something is going, speak up.

Pro tip: Be open-minded and listen to what your team says, but be firm when it counts.

Above: My other favourite feature? The layered lighting, which combines all-over brightness, task-specific lights and ambient illumination through pot lights, pendants and undercabinet lights, all of it on dimmer switches.

RESOURCE LIST

General contractor, interior design and carpentry: Green Island Builders

Plumbing fixtures: Andrew Sheret Limited (Splashes )

Electrical: VIP Electric

Pendant lighting: Pottery Barn

Plumbing and HVAC: Solid Plumbing & Gas

Drywall: Capital City Drywall & Painting

Painting: Xico Enterprises

Millwork supply and installation: Harbour City Kitchens

Countertop: Colonial Countertops

Marmoleum supply and installation: Hourigans Flooring

Tiles: Merola Tiles

Tile installation: T.I. Tiling

Appliances: Coast Appliances

Kitchens are the most expensive space to remodel in your home, and with rising prices and a wobbly economic situation, it may seem like a good time to put a reno off for another year. Think again.

A December 2024 report by RE/MAX found that kitchen renovations typically garner a 75- to 100-per-cent return on

investment (ROI), making them the best value of any home-improvement project. The upgrades that have the best ROI: seating, cabinetry, counters, sinks and new appliances.

Bathroom makeovers are second to kitchens in terms of ROI, at about 62 per cent if they are well executed, according to RE/MAX. But if you plan to put your home

on the market, the single most cost-effective way to enhance its value is with a fresh coat of paint. The worst investment?

Hyper-personalized design choices or costly (and highmaintenance) features such as wine cellars, hot tubs or swimming pools. Enjoy them for themselves, but don’t expect to make your money back.

THE GREAT DEBATE: LINO OR VINYL?

Both have their advantages — and disadvantages. Here’s what you need to know when choosing the right flooring for your hardest-working rooms.

BY SPRUCE STAFF

This page: Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) comes in an almost infinite array of colours and patterns. Some of them even mimic pricy and high-maintenance natural materials, like this Armstrong Flooring ALTERNA engineered stone. Opposite page: It's easy to create your own custom patterns with products like Forbo Flooring's Marmoleum Cinch Loc Seal, shown in seashell and black.

When it comes to flooring, especially in your kitchen and bath, there is no perfect solution. Tile is attractive and resilient, but it’s hard on backs, knees and glassware, plus it can be dangerously slippery when wet. Ditto for marble, which is also porous and expensive. As for wood, it’s beautiful and gentle on your joints, but easily damaged by errant splashes of water, oil and tomato sauce, not to mention high heels and pets.

For years, the obvious solution was hard-wearing, inexpensive linoleum. Today, it’s more likely to be vinyl. What’s the difference? Each has its benefits and drawbacks. Here’s what you need to know.

THE BACKGROUND

Your grandma’s kitchen — and your great-grandma’s — probably had linoleum flooring. Invented in the 1850s by a British inventor named Frederick Walton, linoleum derives from linseed oil, a naturally occurring substance produced by flax seeds. It’s then mixed with other products such as cork dust, wood flour and pine rosin to create a tough, durable flooring.

From the late 1800s through the 1950s, linoleum was the floor material of choice for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, playrooms and other hardworking spaces. Then vinyl came along.

Vinyl was also discovered in the 19th century, but the first experiments with it for flooring didn’t occur until the 1920s and ’30s. Unlike linoleum, vinyl is a completely synthetic material made mostly from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a widely used polymer derived from petrochemicals. Modern vinyl typically also comprises a fibreglass backing and phthalate plasticizers for flexibility.

Vinyl turned out to be even cheaper than linoleum, and since the 1960s has largely replaced linoleum.

So which is the best choice for your space? It depends largely on what is most important to you.

APPEARANCE

When it comes to design options, hands down, vinyl is the winner. Vinyl flooring has a printed design sealed under a clear surface layer, and your options are almost limitless when it comes to colours and patterns. You can find vinyl flooring in everything from ornate tile patterns to fake wood that looks just like the real thing. Colours can be bright and intense; patterns vividly realistic.

Linoleum, on the other hand, has more limited options because the patterns aren’t printed on the surface, but go right through the material. You’re basically looking at solid colours with maybe some interesting flecks that you can arrange in simple — but dramatic — patterns like checkerboards.

CUSTOM

INSTALLATION

Vinyl comes in sheets, planks or tiles that are installed with a glue-down application that usually requires professional installation. However, there are some peeland-stick vinyl tiles that are easy enough to install yourself.

Linoleum is also available in sheets, planks or tiles; it requires a trowel-on adhesive and probably a professional to install it. There are also some tongue-and-groove tiles that click-lock together and don’t require any adhesives; these are more accessible to industrious DIY-ers.

COST AND AVAILABILITY

Prices vary, of course, but both types of flooring are economical choices compared to, say, hardwood or ceramic tile. However, vinyl is slightly less expensive than lino and even cheaper if you install it yourself. Every major home improvement store will carry it, and you can also find luxury vinyl at flooring stores.

Linoleum is less widely available and slightly more expensive; you will likely need to visit a flooring specialist to find it. Search for it under brand names like Forbo Marmoleum, LinoArt by Armstrong and Johnsonite by Tarkett.

FUNCTIONALITY AND DURABILITY

Vinyl flooring is usually completely waterproof and easy to maintain; just a quick mop with whatever cleaning product you like and you’re good to go. However, vinyl’s surface material can eventually wear through, creating shabby spots. It is generally expected to last 10 to 20 years.

Linoleum is also tough, durable and

Forbo's Marmoleum is perhaps the bestknown brand of modern linoleum. It is available in a wide range of coloured planks and tiles that can be arranged in bold and attractive patterns like checkerboards or zig-zags. Although it doesn't offer the same number of design choices, lino has the advantage of being softer, quieter, more sustainable and less likely to melt than vinyl.

easy to maintain, although you should use a mild cleaning product designed for lino since detergents with high pH levels can damage it. Although it is water resistant (rather than fully waterproof) and may need to be sealed every couple of years, lino is generally more durable than vinyl. It is generally expected to last 20 to 40 years.

In addition, one of lino’s great benefits is that it is slightly softer than vinyl, making it quieter and more comfortable for those who have to be on their feet for long periods of time. It is also more heat resistant and won’t melt right away if, for instance, you drop a hot skillet on it.

SUSTAINABILITY

When it comes to sustainability, linoleum is the clear choice. Vinyl is made according to an energy-intensive process from non-renewable and at times toxic materials. It is also nearly impossible to discard in a sustainable manner — it’s not reusable, recyclable or biodegradable, and releases hazardous chemicals when burned.

Linoleum, on the other hand, is made from organic materials that are non-hazardous and last significantly longer than vinyl. When it finally is discarded, it can be reused or recycled and will eventually biodegrade.

It comes down to what matters most to you: cost, convenience and a vast selection of design options or comfort, durability and sustainability. All are important considerations. Which will you choose?

Luxury vinyl comes in dozens of wood and stone lookalike styles. That's especially handy in your kitchen or bath, where natural materials can be easily damaged.

REAL ESTATE

BY SHANNON MONEO

Keeping Down Payments

All in the Family

There’s BMO, RBC and TD. But another financial outlet is increasingly serving homebuyers: BoMad, the Bank of Mom and Dad.

Tony Joe has been selling properties in the Victoria area for over three decades and knows that the region has never been a cheap place to live. So when it comes to buying a residence, where does the moolah come from?

“In my 33 years, there’s always been cases where parents help their kids,” says Joe, principal at Prime Real Estate Team. “But the numbers are much bigger now. Instead of $50,000, it can be $200,000 or more.”

About a decade ago, Bank of Mom and Dad — BoMad, for short — activity ramped up, Joe notes, correlating with the rapid rise in home prices. In Victoria, the annual income needed to buy a home in 2024 was $172,180. “Prices are outstripping income growth,” Joe says.

A 2024 CIBC Capital Market report found that 31 per cent of Canadian first-time homebuyers got financial help from parents, a jump from 20 per cent in 2015. In B.C., it was 36 per cent of first-time buyers. The average cross-Canada gift was $115,000, but in B.C. it was close to double, at $204,000.

Back in the early 1960s, a couple could buy a fine Victoria home for about $16,000; today, they could sell that home for $2 million or more. That’s a lot of profit and, as some older owners are realizing, it can be gratifying to hand over easily made dollars to children or grandchildren who need them to get into the game.

“The parents who come to mind for me are not rich or affluent. They’re normal parents

in a standard home,” says Joe. Giving now, rather than when they’re not around to see the pleasure, is on many givers’ agendas.

The gifted money can be applied in several ways. Some buy a lower-priced condo that opens entry into the wealth-building sphere. Some splurge on a dream home. Others use BoMad funds to buy a home where better schools are located or where they will be closer to work, cutting down commute times, Joe says.

Ryan Cochrane has been selling local real estate for over seven years with The Agency. Winner of silver and bronze swimming medals at the 2012 and 2008 Olympic Games, respectively, he has witnessed how the BoMad can help new buyers enter the home-buying pool.

LEGAL QUESTIONS AROUND BOMAD

Before handing over a sum of money to a younger generation trying to get into the housing market, it’s wise to consult a lawyer and discuss the following issues, according to Gurpreet Randhawa, a partner at Sitka Law Group. If the recipients are in a relationship, what happens if there’s a breakup? Was the gifted money for both partners or solely for the child of the givers? Agreements can be made to ensure the money was intended only for the direct relative.

Distinctions have to be made between what

is a “gift” and what is an inheritance. Gifts are received outright while inheritances are money or assets available upon death. As well, are gifts deducted from inheritances? Will other children get the same fair treatment?

Givers also need to update documents, such as wills, to reflect early inheritances or gifts, Randhawa says. Such documentation is important because in B.C. a child can contest a will if the child feels a parent did not provide for them — and such challenges are

“There’s no steadfast rule or standout way in which this support is given. We used to see more situations where a parental co-signatory was required. I even needed it myself when I purchased my first property. But now it’s skewed towards the necessity to help with the down payment,” Cochrane says. “Gifts are common, especially from the standpoint of many families’ estate planning, as buyers are generally able to afford the monthly payments, but need the help with initial saving. A lot of buyers are unable to save the six figures needed for a down payment.”

Last year, the federal government loosened rules around home purchases. Now, instead of a 25-year amortization limit, the amortization period has been extended to 30 years for firsttime homebuyers and all buyers of new builds.

The second shift is the increase of the $1-million price cap for insured mortgages to $1.5 million, meaning more buyers can qualify for a mortgage with a down payment of less than 20 per cent.

Mortgage adviser Denise Webster, with Dominion Lending Centres, says the changes will make it easier for homebuyers and will lead to an invigorated market, which could mean even higher prices.

Over her 14 years of experience, Webster has seen how the BoMad grew from the background to an increasingly active role, with parents, grandparents and even siblings acting as benefactors. “It’s the only way to get into the market,” she says. Initially, gifts were smaller, but lately she’s handled up to a $300,000 windfall.

Often the money is packaged as an early inheritance, labelled as a gift or non-repayable loan, a “free and clear gift.” The gifts can flow from the givers’ savings; others may pull equity out of their house, a tactic where the parents

increasingly common.

If a loan is involved, that needs to be documented and lenders informed. Parents need to be ensured of repayment. Increasingly, parents or grandparents are loaning money using a line of credit, which carries risk.

Lender protection can be created if the giver is a registered owner, meaning the property cannot be sold without their approval. There are further legalities around property titles and tax implications if a property is gifted to children, all matters that require legal expertise.

should ensure their financial futures are secure. “Some stretch themselves,” Webster notes.

One instance involved a mom, still working, who drew on her line of credit to enable her to “gift” her two daughters $100,000 each. “She took on debt to get her two daughters into the market, adding a new payment into her life,” she says.

Webster stresses that legal advice is important. How the cash handover is done and whether those who are supplying money are placed on the property title are just a couple of items that should be vetted.

Not only legal advice, but accounting wisdom as well, says Gurpreet Randhawa, a partner at Sitka Law Group. She has witnessed a marked increase in BoMad activity in the last five years.

Now into her 10th year of legal practice, Randhawa has seen BoMad cover everything from five per cent of the purchase price to an entire down payment to large, lump-sum gifts. “It depends on the purchase price and each family’s wealth,” she says.

Often legal knowledge is sought after the money has been supplied. “It’s bad from a risk perspective,” she says. When there’s pressure to complete a sale, quick access to funds dominates thinking, but a phone call to a lawyer to discuss comfort levels and hazards could save future turmoil. (See accompanying Legal Questions story for issues to consider and questions you should be asking.)

Still, despite any legal or financial concerns, many parents wouldn’t hesitate to help their children with dollar drops if they could. Cochrane is one of them. “Ownership teaches you discipline and responsibility, but getting into the market is so challenging that if we have the means to help, how could we not?” he says.

Your Financial Partner in Times of Change

that specializes in working with women during and after times of transition, specifically divorce and widowhood.

(Left) Charlotte Paul, CIM, Associate Portfolio Manager, Assante Capital Management Ltd.

GARDENS

BY CAROLYN CAMILLERI

Cultivating Connections

The benefits of food gardening go far beyond eating what you grow.

People grow food for so many very good reasons. It is a wonderful hobby, whether it is quiet outdoor time or an educational family activity. Food security is a topic of great interest, particularly as the climate continues to change. Growing our own fruits and vegetables means we can control what goes into and onto our food, and meals can be planned around what is at its freshest, most flavourful best just outside the back door.

Ultimately, the rewards go beyond the pleasure of, say, sinking your teeth into a tomato still warm from the sun. For Joshua Clae Wagler,

co-founder and creative director of Edible Landscapes Design, the greatest benefit of an edible garden is how it cultivates a deep sense of connection.

“Beyond the beauty, enjoyment and education that growing food provides, the real magic is in how it connects us to something much greater than ourselves: the rhythms of nature, the biodiversity around us and the people we share our homegrown meals with,” he says. “There is a great peace and understanding that comes through this connection. The entire process is deeply nourishing.”

Your path to this connection doesn’t have to mean cutting out big sections of your backyard. In fact, you can grow food with just a few small adjustments to your existing landscaping or on a balcony or deck. You can easily integrate flowers and trees with fruits and vegetables, and cultivate low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, wildlife-friendly edible landscapes that grow more productive and resilient every year.

If you have never grown food before, Wagler recommends starting small and building on success.

“A great first step is growing herbs and

PRO TIP

LETTUCE, KALE, CHARD AND MUSTARD WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH GREENS THROUGHOUT THE SEASON.

BERRY SHRUBS ARE SOME OF THE EASIEST, LOWEST-MAINTENANCE EDIBLE PLANTS THERE ARE AND CAN EASILY BE INTEGRATED INTO EXISTING ORNAMENTAL GARDENS.

salad greens, as they provide multiple harvests throughout the year and their flavour and nutrition degrades very quickly while being transported to grocery stores,” he says.

“We recommend keeping your herbs handy, ideally right outside the door, and placing your raised beds in the sunniest place near the kitchen. While you’re enjoying the harvest from your herbs and greens, you can observe your garden and look for opportunities to integrate fruits and vegetables with your existing trees and flowers.”

A common beginner question is about choosing seeds versus starter plants. Wagler points out that homegrown seedlings are quite vulnerable and require patience, whereas purchasing starts can help you build confidence.

“There is no shame in supporting local nurseries,” he adds.

Keep in mind that some plants — pumpkin or squash, for example — take up a lot of space for a single harvest, while other plants provide multiple harvests.

“Lettuce, kale, chard and mustard will provide you with greens throughout the season, and plants like beets, radish, turnips and carrots have edible roots as well as leaves,” says Wagler. “If you have lots of sun, tomatoes, peppers and squash will thrive, but if you have more shade, salad greens, parsley, cilantro and culinary mushrooms are great options.”

Some plants offer tasty rewards year after year.

“Berry shrubs are some of the easiest, lowestmaintenance edible plants there are and can easily be integrated into existing ornamental gardens,” he says. “Edible perennial plants like these, along with others like rhubarb, asparagus or fruit and nut trees, do not require replanting each season, saving time and money each year.”

A word of caution: It is very easy to go overboard.

“Most beginners go wrong by biting off more than they can chew, choosing the wrong plants for their microclimate or expecting instant results,” says Wagler. “Starting small ensures that your garden is a place of peace, not overwhelm.”

He adds that growing food can be very humbling, but that’s partly why it is so rewarding.

“It’s about so much more than the harvest. It’s about reconnecting to the rhythms of nature and realizing that the garden grows us just as much as we grow the garden.”

Raised Beds 101

Martha Stewart says raised beds are the way to go when it comes to growing vegetables, and if the queen says so, we’re listening.

In raised-bed gardening, the soil is, as the name suggests, raised above ground level and usually enclosed in wood, metal, stone or concrete. You can either make the containers yourself or buy them premade. They should be large enough to grow your veg, but small enough to be manageable — no more than four feet

wide so you can reach everything in them. A height of 12 to 24 inches is both manageable and kind to your back — the taller the bed, the less likely the pressure from weeds and small critters. Place them where they have at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day, and leave enough space to move between them. Fill them right to the top with high-quality soil and plenty of compost. Controlling the quality of the soil is one of the greatest benefits of raised-bed gardening.

Make sure they have good drainage and take care to give your plants plenty of water.

You can plant your crops much closer together in a raised bed than in the ground. But consider adding obelisks, trellises and the like to give them some height, create more room and open plants to more sun exposure. Finally, plant what you like to eat. Keep in mind, though, that perennial herbs like mint and oregano can easily take over the bed. They might be better off in pots.

Metal containers like these from Canadian company Sproutbox Garden come in different shapes, sizes and colours and are among the easiest raised beds to set up.

AT THE TABLE

BY JOANNE SASVARI

Smashin’ It

If you’d just about murder for a really good burger, well, you’re in luck.

As a self-described “bit of a burger nerd and a burger snob,” Jody Polishchuk admits he was disappointed when he moved to Victoria a couple of years ago to find that no one was making a proper, L.A.-style smashburger, the kind with the really thin patties and crunchy, seared crust.

“It’s just a more enjoyable experience than eating a really thick burger,” he says.

So he started making his own burgers at home, using a custom ground-beef blend from Farm + Field Butchers. “And I realized, this is a really good burger,” he says. So he opened a pop-up. That was on July 19. He did 200 covers that day and sold every one of them.

Now he’s got a regular gig on Fridays and Saturdays making smashburgers and krinkle fries from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Picnic on Fort Street. He typically sells out, so it’s wise to order ahead at eatmurderburger.com. “People are excited,” he says. “It’s just, like, a really good burger.”

Given all that, when we decided we wanted to know a bit more about how to make a great burger at home, we decided that Polishchuk would be a good person to ask.

The first thing he told us is that not every thin-pattied burger is actually a smashburger. “Smashburgers are very trendy right now, but the term is very liberally used,” he says. “What makes a smashburger a smashburger is the lacy, crispy edges. There’s a textural component there. The whole surface of the burger is that deep, dark brown, that full-surface sear.”

To get that deeply caramelized sear means starting with the right ground meat, which should have a high fat count for flavour and texture. (His secret blend includes Two

Rivers dry-aged rib-eye cap as well as brisket and chuck.) The rest of the burger is simple: American cheese (for its meltability), secret sauce, pickles and onions on a potato bun.

“If you can grind your own meat, it makes a big difference,” he advises. “The meat is the star of the show.” Well, that and the technique. Take a small amount of that ground meat — say, four ounces — loosely form it into a ball, place it on a hot, flat cooking surface and smash it with a burger press. Don’t just press it down. Use a kind of swirling motion to spread it

around and get those lacy edges. Let the burger cook until it is almost cooked through, then flip it once, add cheese and serve.

Sound simple? Truth is, it’s a tricky thing to master at home.

“It’s very, very difficult to get the same product we make on the flat top at Picnic,” Polishchuk admits. “I can’t do it at home, either.”

But you know what? If you can’t quite master a perfect smash, but you do make a burger you love, you’re still winning. As Polishchuk says, “The best burger is the burger you like best.”

JEFFREY BOSDET/SPRUCE MAGAZINE

Murder Burger's Jody Polishchuk has mastered the art of the perfectly crisp, lacy smashburger.

Burger Gear to Flip For

Meat Grinder

If you are going full burger nerd, you will eventually find yourself wanting to grind your own beef. You can always use the food-grinder attachment on your KitchenAid mixer or similar gadget, but we love the old-school cool of a hand-cranked grinder like grandma (or her grandma) may have used. Norpro meat grinder available at Penna & Co. pennakitchen.com

Smash Burger Press

To make a proper smash burger, you need a press with serious heft and a flat surface big enough to create that lacy, crunchy beef skirt. We like the cast iron one from Cuisinart, which is nearly seven inches in diameter and weighs in at a full kilo (2.2 pounds). cuisinart.ca

A Great Griddle

To really get a smashburger right, you need the kind of flat-top cooking surface you’ll find in commercial kitchens. If you love smashburgers enough, you might consider it worth investing in something like the Weber Slate Rust-Resistant Griddle, a propane-powered addition to your outdoor cooking arsenal that is designed for perfect burgers. But if you aren’t ready to commit around $1,000, you could always opt for one of Lodge’s lightweight cast-iron griddles instead. It may not give you a perfect smash, but it will make a really flavourful burger for under a hundred bucks. weber.com, lodgecastiron.com

Cook’s Apron

If you’re cooking over high heat and flames, you probably don’t want to be wearing anything synthetic that could melt. Opt instead for heavy-duty denim or cotton canvas aprons like the hard-wearing (but stylish!) ones made by Vancouver-based Search & Rescue Denim Co. They’re beloved by the hospitality community for good reason — plus you can even build your own custom apron if you want. searchandrescuedenim.com

Burger Flipper

To flip your burger without leaving half of it glued to the griddle, you need a metal spatula that is long, wide and sturdy, but thin enough to slide under the patty, with a heavy-duty but comfortable handle. That’s why we like the commercial-grade ones by Hubert, with their three-by-five-inch stainless-steel blades and rosewood handle with longlasting compression rivets. hubert.ca

Vancouver Island Sea Salt

Forget fussy spice blends, mops and add-ins: For a proper burger patty you need good meat and good salt, and that’s it. Luckily, we have Vancouver Island Sea Salt right here. Their flake sea salt has a balanced saline note and a pyramid crystal structure that adds a perfect touch of crunchiness. canadianseasalt.com

THREE TO TRY

Beer may be the traditional pairing for burgers, but these three B.C. wines would be welcome at any backyard party. Think: bold, fruity, a little spicy, a lot delicious.

1. Rust Wine Co. Gamay 2022 Juicy and enjoyable, with loads of red-berry flavours and just a hint of minerality. This lighter red crafted from Similkameen Valley grapes benefits from a little chill, making it perfect for sunny afternoons on the deck, and its bright fruit is a cheerful and fresh complement to a burger.

2. Road 13 Select Harvest GSM 2021

This Oliver winery is among very few in B.C. producing the classic Rhône blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. We love its spice, dark fruit and dark chocolate notes, and its long, silky finish. A deeper, more complex choice with a burger, and one that will really wow.

3. Unsworth Vineyards Symphony 2021

The Cowichan Valley rarely gets hot enough long enough to ripen big reds. This blend of Cabernet Libre, Labelle, Corivese and Petit Milo is an exception — it’s all wild berries, ripe cherries, structured tannins and a dash of spice, a perfect partner for grilled meats.

AT HOME WITH

BY CARLA SORRELL

Chef Kristian Eligh

The room Kristian Eligh spends most time in is also the one he would most like to renovate. “It’s become an ongoing joke,” says Eligh, the executive chef at Marilena Cafe & Raw Bar. He laughs with his wife Heather about how they ended up with a Tuscan-style kitchen rather than the gleaming modern kitchen of his dreams.

What do you love about your kitchen?

Eligh: Kitchens tend to become the heart of many homes. And for us, it is certainly that, but it also geographically sits in the heart of the house. It becomes the spot where we congregate as a family. The thing that I love most about it is the layout of the kitchen, and where it is situated in the home, how open it is and how close it is to where we entertain at the dining table in the living room.

I love having two stoves. We’ve got a custom built-in stove in the wall below the microwave, as well as the range. The ability to entertain efficiently with two ovens is awesome, very much reminiscent of a commercial kitchen in that sense.

Who does the cooking?

Eligh: I would be lying if I said Heather didn’t bear the brunt of it the majority of the week, with me being absent. I’m usually the breakfast guy with our kiddos in the morning, and then Heather is always a diligent school lunch packer the night before, which I very much admire. My Sundays are usually about trying to set her up for success with a bit of a food plan, and she carries the torch for the rest of the week. On my days off we will usually be either entertaining or I will be cooking for the family.

When one of you is cooking, are the girls usually hanging out there?

Eligh: Both girls have taken an interest in the kitchen and being a part of food production. Haley loves getting involved on the savoury side. She’s a very good eater, very adventurous when it comes to trying new things and pretty much essentially eating whatever we cook. Brooklyn, not so much. Certainly a little more selective in her eating habits, but not when it comes to dessert! She’s the sweet tooth of the house and gravitates toward baking and dessert production.

JEFFREY BOSDET/SPRUCE MAGAZINE

Kristian and Heather Eligh enjoy family time with their daughters in their kitchen.