For more than half a century, Hycroft, the Edwardian-era manor in Vancouver’s Shaughnessy neighbourhood, has opened its doors for Hycroft for the Holidays . This event, themed Winter Garden Wonderland this year, invites people in to explore the mansion, shop from local artisans, and help preserve the heritage property.

Interior designer Francesca Albertazzi, of Studio Albertazzi , is bringing a fresh look to Hycroft’s grand drawing room for this event. A member of the University Women’s Club of Vancouver, which owns and maintains the house, she joined the club’s garden committee a few years ago and quickly became inspired by the property’s natural beauty.

“I’d see all these beautiful hydrangeas going into the green bin at the end of the season. They were too lovely to waste, so I took some home to dry and thought: why not use them to decorate the house?” says Albertazzi.

A garden-inspired theme

This idea formed the foundation of her drawing-room design, which is all about “bringing the outside in,” says Albertazzi. It features dried blue hydrangeas from the Hycroft gardens, fresh greenery and hand-dried orange slices woven through blue tartan ribbon.

The blue of the ribbon links back to the McRae tartan — the original owners of the Hycroft mansion.

“And the orange adds a warm, natural contrast. I imagined what Mrs. McRae might have done in winter with what she had in her garden — drying flowers, making bouquets, decorating with what was on hand,” says Albertazzi.

While much of the house will be decorated by the club’s volunteer committee using pieces from its collection, the drawing room will stand out as a focal point — a nod to the estate’s gardens and to sustainable, natural holiday decor.

Supporting local makers

Alongside the festive displays, Hycroft for the Holidays will feature more than 40 vendors throughout the home. Each showcases handmade goods ranging from textiles and ceramics to jewelry and fine foods.

Albertazzi saw an opportunity to connect her room design with the market.

It made sense to include a few pieces from the artisans showing in the house — pillows, vases, linens — so visitors could see how those products fit into a real interior, she says.

She credits fellow club member Kaarina Talvila, a craftsperson herself, for helping assemble this year’s mix of vendors.

The organizers wanted to focus on artistry and originality — items people won’t find at every other holiday market. It’s a thoughtful curation rather than just festive trinkets, says Albertazzi.

Along with these vendors, the event will feature choral and jazz performances and two cosy on-site cafés.

Preserving a landmark

Proceeds from ticket sales and vendor fees go to the Hycroft Heritage Preservation Fund, which supports ongoing maintenance of the 1911 mansion.

“Keeping a property like this in good condition takes constant attention,” says Albertazzi. “The fund covers the repairs and structural work needed to keep the house sound — everything from terrace restoration to masonry.”

The house has been home to the University Women’s Club of Vancouver since the 1960s.

“There are photos of women in pencil skirts and pumps up on ladders, cleaning and painting,” Albertazzi says. “They literally rolled up their sleeves to save it.”

The club continues to use Hycroft as its base, running scholarship and outreach programs that support women in education and professional life.

“It’s an incredible community,” she says. “There’s so much knowledge in that house — educators, professionals, artists, doctors. Working on the gardens and the design projects there, you really feel part of something meaningful.”

A designer’s path

Albertazzi’s connection to Hycroft follows more than two decades in design, including television and residential work across British Columbia. Viewers may recognize her from Pamela’s Garden of Eden , an HGTV series filmed in 2021 at Pamela Anderson’s property in Ladysmith.

Other projects currently on the go include remodelling a waterfront home in West Vancouver for clients wanting a more personal, less cookie-cutter design; a kitchen remodel in Mountain View with a custom stained-glass nook that balances the home’s heritage character with a modern family lifestyle; and a Richmond project for clients with a small apple orchard, featuring a processing kitchen, pantry and conservatory.

Being involved with the Hycroft event has been a privilege, says Albertazzi. “It’s wonderful to work somewhere with such history and purpose. Designing here connects you to the generations who’ve cared for the house before.”

Hycroft for the Holidays runs Nov. 27 to 30 at 1489 McRae Avenue, Vancouver. Tickets and details are available at uwcvancouver.ca

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It’s a growing phenomenon right across Canada, and once again, I’m truly amazed by the popularity of winter porch pots. Whether they’re situated on the front veranda of a house or on the patio of an apartment or condo, they offer refreshing new colour that can be enjoyed now right through until spring.

Cities’ parks departments and commercial complexes are adding cut greens to their summer planters to beautify downtown streets and shopping areas. Assorted cut greens, along with white birch poles, brilliant red, yellow and orange stems of shrub dogwoods and deciduous holly branches loaded with vibrant, colourful berries, make any container come alive. In just a few minutes, you can create a wonderful natural look that is guaranteed to lift your spirits, especially at this time of the year.

Starting in late September or early October, I always love to take this festive idea up a notch or two by replanting summer containers with hardy, evergreen perennials, colourful conifers, evergreen grasses and interesting broadleaf plants, like the new Thunderbolt lonicera. It’s important to start with a very open, porous soil blend that will not only hold moisture but will also allow excess water from heavy autumn rains to drain away quickly. Container soils with lots of aggregate, like fine fir bark mulch and perlite, are a must. They are available at most garden stores, but you can easily create your own by mixing Sunshine #4 or ProMix HP with about one-third fine bark. This type of soil blend is critical for both the winter container plants and the cut greens that are added in late November or December.

We’ve never had such an amazing collection of plants for winter colour as we do now. As an upright focal point, I most often select a narrow yew, a columnar boxwood (like Graham Blandy) or a Sky Pencil Japanese holly, and sometimes I choose the yew-like cephalotaxus for certain combinations.

Evergreen perennials, like blue-green Euphorbia wulfenii, the gold variety, E. Ascot Rainbow, and the white and green E. Tasmanian Tiger, are excellent options to create a rich fullness, and the many vibrant colours of heucheras, from hot lime and reds to burgundies and purples, add much needed colour. Evergreen broadleaves, like Thunderbolt lonicera, which will spill nicely over the edge, is the main show-off but, of course, evergreen grasses, like members of the carex family, which come in a wide range of colours, will also look attractive spilling out of the container. They, too, are real attention-getters.

Compact nandinas, especially Gulf Stream, which turns red in the cold, and variegated holly, like Osmanthus Goshiki, will also elevate the look of your planters.

You can work in cut greens any time now to change the focus of your planters to winter and the festive season ahead. The nice thing about all these colourful evergreens is that, as zone 5 and 6 plants, they are rated hardy for our winters, and when the festive season is over and the cut greens are gone, these containers will look ready for spring, especially if you add in some winter pansies, four-inch started bulbs or primulas.

For cut greens, silver or noble firs provide two of the key wintergreen branches. I love the fragrance of silver fir, and its flat branches make a nice deep green backdrop for the planter, as do the bluish green branches of noble fir. The soft blue branches of Pinus strobus (white pine) are some of my all-time favourites. Their fragrant, semi-pendulous habit creates a nice spillover effect. Cedar branches, with their soft tips, make great fill-ins.

It is important to understand that these greens are simply used to accent your other plants. Don’t crowd the existing plants too much because they need lots of air circulation to keep them looking nice. Using some shrub dogwood stems will provide a dramatic element of height to your containers, while bright red, yellow or orange toned branches will add a natural look, as well as a touch of sophistication.

Many folks love the contorted branches of the twisted willow, Salix tortuosa. The most common are the green stemmed varieties, but they also come in bright yellow and red. I like to keep these branches about three to four feet long, making them ideal supports for LED mini lights. Clear mini lights add a festive touch, and they look so beautiful lighting up our dark winter nights. There’s a funny thing about these willow branches: The fact is they root easily, and you may have new plants come spring.

The finishing touch is, of course, the branches of Ilex verticillata, a deciduous holly. The leaves are now off the plants, exposing their vibrant red berries that will provide such a traditional winter look. There are also varieties with bright gold berries available, as well as the new hot orange berries now here from Europe. They look quite spectacular and are a natural bird food. These berries will last all winter and will tolerate extremely cold weather.

If your planters are under the eaves of your home, it’s important to keep them moist. All the greens and berry stems will be fine for the festive season if the branch stems are in continually moist soil. If we run into a dry spell of warm weather and wind, you may have to mist the green branches with water to prevent them from drying out. With normal late fall weather, all the plants, stems, greens and berries will keep fresh and colourful.

As well as adding a lovely touch to your festive decor, fall and winter planters will add so much beauty to your home and garden at a time when you may need a little lift.

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There are fashion trends, food trends, and tech trends, but furniture trends? Who swaps out their sofa every season? Nobody, really, but the average crib could benefit from an occasional refresh, whether that’s adding a simple yet sophisticated pillow or a full-on furniture replacement. Besides, anything that trends is obviously new, which is invigorating, and if it means a curvy new couch or a sly little side table with a removable lid to tuck away clutter, adding the odd piece is sure to brighten your space. Another reason to shop? Minimalism is out.

The shape of things

Curve is the word these days, with curling waves, lacy leaves, spiral tree branches and fanned scallop shell shapes incorporated into sofas, beds, tables and chairs using natural materials such as wood, stone, clay or marble. Even pendant lights and floor lamps in undulating patterns cast a wave-like glow.

“Relaxed curves and organic shapes offer a sense of visual comfort, which aligns with people’s need to create spaces that feel restful and restorative,” says Rebecca Andrews, vice-president of category management and design at Article furniture store. “We’re seeing this come through upholstered seating, dining and coffee tables, accent chairs, and very prominently in the bedroom,” noting the store’s Kayra king upholstered ivory bouclé bed’s softly rounded frame and the Almelo hale rust king velvet headboard.

Steen Skaaning, co-owner of INspiration furniture stores, which source up to 90 per cent of their product from Europe, says, “Curvy shapes are really big, everybody loves them. We have a good selection of these kidney shapes, but they’re not always practical. Space is at a premium in Vancouver, and they take a lot of space. We sell a lot more, let’s say, realistic sizes and shapes. But they’re a lot of fun and inspiring to look at.”

Chris Cooke, design mentor at King Living , says that while curves are still trending, “We’re seeing more tailored arcs that feel architectural and gently soften the geometry,” pointing to the store’s newly released Aura sofa as an example.

He says biophilic design continues to influence interiors, noting a greater integration of “natural materials, nature-inspired colour palettes, and organic silhouettes such as rounded edges and curved timber details that mimic the softness of nature.”

Cooke says modular, multifunctional pieces are also dominating these days. “Sofas and sofa beds are increasingly modular, like our Jasper and Delta collections, which can be reconfigured or expanded, adapting as families grow or when living spaces evolve. Dining is moving toward extendable forms, like our Heritage and Magnolia tables, that can expand to seat additional guests and contract for daily use — practical for apartment living.”

Modular has also moved to the bedroom, he says, pointing to modular motion mattresses that can be adjusted to suit preferred levels of support.

Touch and texture

Andrews says textures and layering continue to trend, with a “growing appetite for multi-sensory, tactile features and pieces that invite touch and add dimension to a room.” Textured upholstery like bouclé, a type of yarn with loops or nubs, as illustrated in Article’s Julie swivel chair in sandstone wool bouclé, is all the rage.

“At the same time, velvets, chenille, and ratine are rising in popularity, bringing that same cosy comfort but with a softer, subtler expression.” She points to the layers of supple materials combined with the natural warmth of oak on Article’s Cassie queen upholstered bed with nightstands as an example of chenille and wood that create a multi-sensory feel.

In addition, the store’s plush performance velvet, another rich-feeling fabric, is on display in their Oren lounge chair.

Skaaning says that while velvet, leather and bouclé remain fashionable, bigger, bolder weaves, the “mega- bouclés”, as opposed to the smaller weaves, are gaining in popularity, as are easy clean materials.

Andrews says Article has multiple performance fabrics in their catalogue, including their proprietary Silver, featuring LifeGuard stain-repellent fibres woven into the fabric. Another is their Napa performance fabrics, which include a C0 stain-repellent finish that is PFA-free. Hale fabrics are also a special performance velvet that is fade-resistant, non-absorptive and easy to clean.

Cooke says the appetite for recyclable and renewable textiles continues to grow. “It’s not only the materials themselves, customers are looking for timeless designs and products built to last, which will remain visually and emotionally durable and endure trends. This is why our customers resonate strongly with our removable, replaceable covers and steel frames, which are designed to last decades.”

Skaaning says INspiration specializes in marble, used primarily in their dining tables but also in end tables, coffee tables and accent tables. “It’s an amazing material. Just like wood, there’s this real uniqueness. You will never find two marble slabs that are the same, and here’s a product that was created five million years ago. We have sourced some spectacular marbles from some of the best suppliers around the world. There’s one called Pandora marble from Brazil, which is probably the most popular stone right now globally.”

Pops of colours

The days of greys are giving way to forested greens and earthy browns. “We’re still seeing the soft tones — beige, sand and taupe — but more pops of colour as well, anywhere from pink to burnt orange to a bright red, [especially in] pillows and throws ,” says Skaaning.

Cooke notes neutrals still reign, but they’re being layered with saturated accents rather than replaced altogether. “Think earthy olives, deep terracotta, and muted teals in upholstery,” he says. “These hues add depth without overwhelming a space. It’s less about maximal colour and more about tonal richness. We recently analyzed hundreds of thousands of King Living sofa purchases and found that green fabric sofas have risen from 1 per cent in 2019 to over 18 per cent in 2025.”

Andrews adds, “Colour is back in a big way. People are leaning into it to make their spaces feel truly theirs. Greens and browns are stepping in as the new neutrals while rich, cosy shades like warm taupes and earthy rusts are also having their moment.”

Timeless treasures

Blending old and new is an enduring trend, with designers sourcing looks and materials spanning centuries. Examples include an art deco armchair from the 1920s paired with a hand-painted cabinet of the 1970s, or a 19th-century piano together with a pale wood bench of the mid-2010s.

“Crafting a personalized space is a key consideration for most customers, and mixing vintage with contemporary is an ideal way to achieve this,” says Cooke. “Modern designs give structure, while older pieces can inject character to create balance.”

Andrews calls the melding of old and new styles “visually dynamic and really fun. Think warm woods and textured fabrics for a classic base, paired with clean lines and softer edges to keep things more modern. Add in natural, crafted details and playful shapes like scallops or waves and you get spaces that feel both grounded in nature and joyful.”

She points to Article’s Ansel walnut sideboard, “which has intricate, crated detailing that feels both whimsical and artful, striking that balance between function and sculptural design.”

Andrews says versatility is also premium, especially in smaller homes. “This is driving demand for durable, versatile pieces that help maximize every inch,” noting the company’s Marina Clover Ivory reversible sleeper storage sectional, a kind of Swiss army knife that combines hidden storage and a fold-out memory foam mattress ideal for small-space living. Also, Article’s multi-purpose black storage side table with removable lid and the Maribo felted green storage ottoman with soft-close lid maximizes storage.

Ultimately, “One of the trends we are seeing is not so much style, it’s more value,” says Skaaning. “Customers are looking for value, and they will pay a bit more for good quality. But there have to be good reasons for it; not just because it’s popular or a well-known brand. There has to be value in a well-made product.”

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In 1927, the Hotel Georgia made front-page news for being the first hotel in Vancouver to offer bath facilities in every suite. Nearly a century later, after a few facelifts and a refined new identity as the Rosewood Hotel Georgia , the storied landmark is making headlines again, but this time for design details far more sophisticated than its plumbing.

The 12-storey Georgian-style building, a local treasure since the Jazz Age, has been meticulously refreshed over the past few years. Vancouver’s Ste Marie Studio has skilfully reimagined the lobby, Georgia Bar, 1927 Lounge, Reflections Garden Terrace and Prophecy Bar. New York City’s Lillian Wu Studio has transformed the 156 rooms and suites, blending art deco elegance with contemporary cool.

Over the decades, the hotel has hosted an illustrious guest list that includes British royals, Marlene Dietrich, Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole and Taylor Swift . Growing up in Vancouver, my friends and I would often pop into the Georgia’s lobby as we loved its Old-World esthetic and regal air. Checking in for a night recently, the Georgia felt quite familiar, save a few more design credentials and considerably better dining options. And wouldn’t you know it; actor Justin Hartley’s low-key presence — he was sitting near me at dinner that evening — underscores that the hotel’s star attraction is as strong as ever. Hartley, who is best known for his role in the Emmy-award winning drama This Is Us , is currently filming season three of Tracker in Vancouver.

The lobby

Stepping into the lobby, the noise of downtown Vancouver instantly melts away. The space glows under a dazzling chandelier with thousands of Swarovski crystals, its sparkles reflecting off the mahogany panelling and marble floors. To one side, the Georgia Bar hums with conversation; tucked off the grand staircase is the 1927 Lounge, a more intimate retreat.

Historical research and Rosewood’s brand ethos of “quiet, lifted luxury” anchored the design direction for the lobby, says Craig Stanghetta , principal and creative director of Ste Marie. He wanted guests to feel “a sense of occasion the moment they step through the doors. Whether it’s October 3 or Christmas Eve, it should feel like something special is happening.”

The main floor’s art deco bones remain intact, complemented by a curated collection of works from Howard495 Art Advisory’s Krista Howard, including pieces by Vancouver’s own Douglas Copeland and Fred Herzog . Plush custom furnishings, produced by European artisans, feature a mix of rich and muted jewel-toned velvets, silks and wool blends. A combination of texture, soft lighting and craftsmanship that creates an intimate, elegant mood.

The rooms

My King Courtyard View Room was a serene and sophisticated little world unto itself, styled with neutral hues and colourful flourishes. Designer Lillian Wu maintained the hotel’s heritage and added subtle modern touches, such as sculptural accent pieces, time-worn books and abstract artwork. Creature comforts included Italian linens, a Nespresso coffee maker, a Bose docking station and complimentary Wi-Fi.

The bathroom was a study in understated opulence with glossy black-and-white marble, heated floors, free-standing tub, walk-in rain shower, crisp robes and Diptyque bath products.

Tip: Consider splashing out on a room with a tub. The wall dividing the bedroom and ensuite slides open, revealing a view of the city lights twinkling beyond.

Spa and amenities

Senses Spa is a petite and serene haven tucked within the hotel’s amenity level. Guests are welcome to linger before or after treatments in the tranquil tea lounge, or enjoy the warm saltwater pool, dry sauna and well-equipped gym. My Cocoon Body Wrap — a warm mud, deeply hydrating 90-minute treatment — was a much-needed reset that left me floating somewhere between relaxation and bliss.

Food and beverage

When it comes to dining , the Rosewood Hotel Georgia delivers across the board. With Hawksworth Restaurant, Bel Cafe, 1927 Lounge, Georgia Bar, Prophecy Bar and Reflections Garden Terrace all on-site, the only real challenge is choosing where to start.

Dinner at Reflections Garden Terrace was a standout. Once at the mercy of Vancouver’s moody weather, the open-air restaurant has been transformed with a retractable glass roof — part of a toe-to-tail redux by the team at Ste Marie.

“We look at Reflections as the crown jewel of the property,” says Stanghetta. A rare rooftop courtyard in Vancouver’s downtown core, the new space was envisioned as a lush escape, he explains, like a secret garden. The atmosphere delivers on that promise: Soft lamps and bistro lighting frame light wood and woven rattan furnishings surrounded by trailing ferns and palms.

We started with a delightful Hotel Georgia cocktail. This frothy and elegant mix of Tanqueray gin, almond syrup, orange blossom and nutmeg was first served at the Georgia in the 1950s and recently made an updated comeback.

Next, we tried the lobster dumplings in fragrant chili oil, Dungeness crab tostadas layered with avocado and lime, and curried buttermilk chicken “65.” Maeve Fogarty, assistant director of food and beverage, explained that the menu was designed to capture “all the different tastes of the West Coast — tied up in a little bow.” That idea shines through every bite: familiar ingredients presented with a fresh twist.

After dinner we stopped by Prophecy Bar in the Georgia’s basement where the mood is entirely different from light and breezy Reflections. It’s moody, playful and big on theatrics with a speakeasy vibe. Try the Northern Lights cocktail — it steals the show, served under a lit-up cloche with colours and fog creating your very own aurora borealis.

We opted for in-room dining the next morning, and the hearty Georgia Breakfast set us up nicely for a walk around Stanley Park after checkout. Two free-range eggs, hash brown potatoes, roasted tomato, toast and a choice of bacon or sausages were served with freshly squeezed orange juice and coffee. Served hot and beautifully presented, our in-room dining experience felt graceful and polished.

If you go

If walkability and access to Vancouver’s shopping and venues are a priority, then the hotel’s downtown location can’t be beat. Nearby attractions include Pacific Centre Mall, Vancouver Art Gallery, Rogers Arena, Stanley Park and the beaches of English Bay. It’s roughly a 45-minute drive from Vancouver International Airport. Public transit options are a couple of blocks away.

With its heritage charm and thoughtful design, Rosewood Hotel Georgia manages to be both grand and approachable. I found the hotel and restaurant staff to be friendly, genuinely warm and attentive — after 98 years of welcoming travellers, the Georgia still knows how to make guests feel special. Only now, she does it with sumptuous decor, considered cocktails and a relaxed refinement that feels distinctly Vancouver-contemporary.

Visit: Rates start from $625 per night.

mbroberts@postmedia.com

The writer was a guest of Rosewood Hotel Georgia, which did not preview this article before publication.

Weekly roundup of three properties that recently sold in Metro Vancouver.

1506 Kamloops St., Vancouver

Type: Five-bedroom, three-bathroom detached

Size: 3,009 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,859,500

Listed for: $1,899,000

Sold for: $1,780,000

Sold on: Oct. 6

Days on market in this listing: Six

Listing agent: Shafik Ladha PREC at ReMax Westcoast

Buyers agent: Carmen Tsang PREC at Macdonald Realty Westmar

Spacious kitchen with eat-in dining are. The big sell: This late 1920s character home resides on a corner lot in east Vancouver’s Renfrew neighbourhood at the junction of Kamloops and Grant streets. The home was extended in 1980 to provide more than 3,000 square feet of living space divided between three levels, and an elevator was installed to offer access from the basement to the main floor. There are five bedrooms in total with two on the top floor, one on the main level next to the principal reception rooms, and two in the basement which, alongside a full living/kitchen area, flexible spaces, a laundry room, and walkout access to the backyard, could suit a mortgage helper or accommodation for elderly relatives or guests. Key updates over the years include improvements to the roof, gutters, windows, hot water tank, and furnace, and the oil tank was removed. A white picket fence surrounds the back garden which has patio areas and flower bed borders.

406 — 4352 Hastings St., Burnaby

Type: Two-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment

Size: 1,198 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,147,000

Listed for: $1,249,900

Sold for: $1,200,000

Sold on: Aug. 10

Days on market in this listing: 26

Listing agent: Rod Bahari PREC at Sutton Group — West Coast Realty

Buyers agent: Ron Chong at Amex Broadway West Realty

The big sell: Storia is a five-storey condominium development by Beedie Living that was constructed in 2021 in the heart of Burnaby’s Willingdon Heights district. This particular home has an end-unit, upper-floor position with just under 1,200 square feet of living space that accommodates two bedrooms, a den, and three bathrooms. There are nine-foot-high ceilings, air conditioning, roller shades, Shaker-style cabinets, integrated appliances including a wall oven, a pantry, quartz counters, and laminate floors throughout. The primary bedroom has a walk-through closet to a five-piece ensuite with underfloor heating and the second bedroom is also ensuited and resides on the opposite side of the floor plan. A balcony offers views of the North Shore Mountains, while a communal rooftop terrace has outdoor seating and panoramic vistas. The monthly maintenance fee for this home is $647.67 and it comes with parking and a storage locker.

309 — 156 West 21st St., North Vancouver

Type: One-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment

Size: 602 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $489,900

Listed for: $499,900

Sold for: $499,900

Sold on: Aug. 28

Days on market in this listing: Two

Listing agent: Ben D’Ovidio PREC at Sutton Centre Realty

Buyers agent: Adam Chahl PREC at Oakwyn Realty

The big sell: It took just two days for this one-bedroom North Vancouver condo to sell for the full asking price. What contributed to the appeal? An updated home with a top-floor position in Oceanview, a 26-unit pet- and rental-friendly complex built in 1980 that has undergone comprehensive upgrades including a complete envelope update with rain screening, re-piping, the installation of fibre cement board siding, and new balconies, sliding doors, windows, and an elevator. The unit itself has an open-concept interior with laminate floors, a galley kitchen that overlooks the dining area and living room, and a covered balcony with treed views. It comes with a parking stall in the underground garage, a $423.71 monthly maintenance fee that covers both heat and hot water, and a central Lonsdale location near shops, transit, and parks.

These transactions were compiled by Nicola Way of BestHomesBC.com.

Realtors — send your recent sales to nicola@besthomesbc.com

Learn more about the latest mortgage rates and explore our guide to Canada’s lowest national insured and uninsured mortgage rates, updated daily. Related

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Talk of wellness design has picked up in North America, but has been around forever in Europe, says interior designer Reisa Pollard of  Beyond Beige Interior Design . It’s design that goes further than how a material or colour looks in your home — it’s about how the elements you surround yourself with every day affect you.

During the pandemic, people definitely started to view their homes more as sanctuaries, says Pollard. Here, she shares how you can include some wellness elements in your home, from light touch to serious investment.

For 23 years, their motto at Beyond Beige has been feel good inside, says Pollard. Good design is about not just how it looks, but how it feels and smells and tastes. All of the senses come into play, she says.

The perfect night’s sleep

An immediate wellness upgrade is found in simply getting more sleep, says Pollard.

You can achieve this by using blackout drapery and addressing any light emitted in your bedroom. It might be from a power bar, or TV, air conditioner or fan, so you want to make sure these are blocked out in your sleeping quarters.

Sound is another factor, says Pollard.

“Some people like white noise, some prefer air circulation, but whatever helps them sleep should be intentional,” she adds.

Beyond that, temperature matters.

“We want the bedroom cooler than other rooms in the evening. All-natural bedding and linens are ideal, and aromatherapy — lavender especially — can make a real difference,” she says.

The good news is these changes don’t need to cost too much, says Pollard. Sometimes it’s just a matter of a small piece of black electrical tape over the tiny orange-glowing lights.

Somewhere worth retreating to

Pollard encourages everyone to have what she calls a “decompression zone” in their home.

“If the client is lucky enough, they might be able to devote a whole room to meditation or yoga,” she says. “It might have warmer lighting, softer lighting, more sound barriers, crystals, or whatever feels healing. But it can also be a corner of a room — with a large cushion for relaxing,” she says.

It doesn’t even have to be solitary.

“It can be a place where you and your child decompress together after a big day,” says Pollard.

Natural and tactile

If a renovation isn’t on the cards, Pollard says simply choosing natural materials — woods, linens, wools or cotton — can calm a space instantly. For those wanting to do something bigger, the bathroom is the best place to start.

“With a spa-like bathroom, we can really embrace healing,” she says.

This can be achieved through water therapy — shower rain heads, steam, tubs and even light therapy, such as red light and infrared sauna.

Pollard would like to call an end to bad bathtubs. People have, for too long, accepted tubs that don’t necessarily fit their bodies, or are super shallow.

“There are tubs that fit taller people, that are deeper, infinity tubs that overflow, tubs designed for two, or with back pitches that are warmed so you can sip wine or read a book comfortably. It doesn’t have to be like your previous tub — it can be much better,” she says.

Practical luxury

Pollard points out that wellness doesn’t have to mean extravagance. So many of those things can be addressed with almost no extra cost, such as getting the right light bulbs, the right dimmers, and products that don’t hum or buzz. These are all very minor price differences.

Picking less toxic materials usually isn’t much more expensive either. It’s just awareness, says Pollard.

“We’re designing drawers with metal lining for people who want to block electromagnetic fields,” she says. “Or creating better mud rooms with air filters because, as a hockey mum, I can tell you — good air exchange is essential!”

The hot and cold trend

Saunas and cold plunges are increasingly on everyone’s wish list, says Pollard. “The cold plunge is very much on trend. People are putting them on patios or outside somewhere, often paired with a sauna.

“A sauna has always had value — it’s a much more enduring wellness element.”

Recently, Pollard worked on a residence that includes a hot-cold design feature.

“For the first time, we put in an indoor hot tub and a cold plunge side by side, along with a steam and sauna,” she says. “That shows how much people value this balance of heat and cold.”

Pollard works with  Kindred Custom Homes  to create homes that have that sanctuary feel.

“Spaces like saunas, recovery rooms, and spa-inspired areas require a high level of technical precision and close collaboration with our partners. As builders, our role is to ensure these wellness-focused amenities are executed to the highest standard of craftsmanship, resulting in homes that feel effortless, luxurious, and built to last,” says Bryan Reid, president of Kindred Custom Homes.

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What began with a little girl given free rein to paint second-hand furniture that her mother provided has evolved into a lifelong devotion that became the foundation of a successful business. Revived Vintage , nestled in the heart of Qualicum Beach, is the go-to source for custom furniture painting, Fusion mineral paint and a curated offering of local makers’ work.

Owner Christie Tokairin is passionate about painting furniture and sees it as a creative outlet for everyone, and not just herself. She believes painted furniture introduces more character and warmth into living spaces than solely commercially manufactured pieces. She asserts that virtually any type of furniture can be transformed by paint.

“It doesn’t matter what type of furniture,” Tokairin says. “A lot of people think it has to be the good ol’ solid wood kind. Ideally that would be the best. It’s my favourite. We love a quality piece of anything, but I have Ikea (furniture) at my house that is painted and (that’s) because it’s functional.”

For those embarking on furniture painting for the first time, Tokairin advises letting go of any expectations of perfection. It’s about making something unique, and the finished product will reflect that. “Be kind to yourself,” she says. Also, start with a small piece like a side table. Large projects, like a dining room set, can fast become overwhelming when you’re still developing skills.

The most important step for achieving good results is the preparation. Every piece should start with a light sanding. Tokairin recommends a medium or 120-grit sanding paper.

“Glass, metal, Arborite, or melamine, that’s going to need a different prep which is usually an adhesion primer and that’s going to get the paint to stick as we want it to stick. So we can use these pieces without worrying about them,” she explains.

The Fusion brand’s adhesion primer is Ultra Grip, and Tokairin also uses the Zinner 123 brand which provides effective stain blocking for wood. Some types of wood bleed through the paint, especially with light colours. “Cherry mahogany: if you paint it white, it’s going to be pink,” she warns. This also applies to woods with knots, like pine or cedar.

What type of brush is used depends on what part of the furniture is being painted and the shape of it.

“If it has spindles, I’ll use a round brush which is called a sash brush,” she explains. “If it has narrow skinny legs, I’ll use a one-inch brush. The top is wider, so I’ll use a one inch-and-a-half brush. If it’s a bookshelf and I’m going inside I’ll use an angled brush. On the flat bits, I’ll roll it.” She advises using a good quality brush and buy the best you can afford but notes that it doesn’t have to be super expensive.

Tokairin says a four-inch roller will do the job and there’s no need for anything bigger. Though she shies away from hard and fast rules, she emphatically eschews using either a foam roller or a brush as they won’t leave a nice finish. They’re sponges so they absorb a lot of product but don’t let it go very easily. “We push on it to get the product out and that’s where we get that orange peel, stipple-ly texture,” she says. Otherwise, using a brush or roller comes down to personal preference.

How the brush is held will affect how the finished product will look and how the paint takes to the surface. “You want to hold your brush so that your arm works instead of your wrist. When you hold your brush down the shaft a bit more, your arm does the work for you,” she explains. This technique spreads the paint nicely whereas painting with a wrist motion flicks the paint. That little change lays paint much differently.

Once paint is dry, the piece can be used lightly with care because cure time and drying time for paint are different. Paint takes about 30 days to cure — that’s the full evaporation of moisture in the paint which will make it as hard as it’s ever going to be, Tokairin notes, adding that dark colours dry a lot faster than light ones.

Depending what type of material you’re painting and how it will be used, a surface like Arborite or melamine on a counter or desk could be better protected with a topcoat. Fusion makes a topcoat and that’s what Tokairin used when she painted her kitchen cabinets which, three years on, are wearing really well, she says.

Her last bit of advice is to enjoy the process and the unique result whether you see it as perfect or not.

“You’re creating something that you didn’t buy at Winners,” she observes. “You see brush strokes on the best artwork hanging in museums and galleries. Just be kind to yourself. You’re making this. Even my work isn’t flawless, but you wouldn’t know unless you knew where to look and that’s the same for most people.”

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International pro surfer Erin Brooks is known for chasing the perfect wave around the globe. But when it came time to find a place to call home, Mexico’s Baja Peninsula won the 18-year-old’s heart.

Brooks has purchased a residence at Cabo Real Surf Club , a new development under construction above the surf-rich shores along what’s known as the Golden Corridor in Los Cabos, between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.

Los Cabos’ endless sunshine, fabulous beaches and traditional cuisine are just a few of the community’s offerings that hooked dual Canadian -U.S. citizen Brooks, who cites proximity to where she resides and trains in North America as another big draw.

But what sealed the deal for Brooks — Team Canada’s rising star and most recently 2025 Rookie of the Year on the World Surf League Championship Tour — are Cabo Real Surf Club’s plans for a state-of-the-art Endless Surf wave basin and recreational amenities.

“The development is going to have a world-class wave pool along with a fitness centre, trampoline and skateboard facilities, swimming pools and a beach club, which are all things I use to train and improve my surfing,” she says.

American developer Meriwether Companies partnered with prominent Mexican landowners, the Sanchez Navarro family, to build this master-planned community.

When complete, Cabo Real Surf Club will comprise a collection of luxury homes spanning an expansive landscape featuring golf, surf, personal wellness and outdoor adventure amenities — including the wave basin, the largest of its kind in the world. Turnkey home prices start at US$2.75 million, and interest has been strong since presales launched in the spring, with more than $125 million in sales.

Brooks, who has surfed wave technologies around the world, was impressed by Cabo Real’s plans for the surf wave basin and the ability to combine training in a controlled wave environment with sessions at local breaks. “Waves in the ocean can be inconsistent, which is why having a wave pool is so incredible,” she says. “It guarantees I can get quality waves every day, which is every surfer’s dream.”

Vancouver’s Endless Surf designed the wave basin, the centrepiece of the development, says Cabo Real’s sales director, Janet Jensen. “It’s pneumatic, powered by 16 engines and 48 caissons that push air to generate the wave. It’s a simple and proven system, perfected by Endless Surf.”

Cabo Real’s Golden Corridor location is ideal, adds Jensen. “It’s not too hot like the Sea of Cortes, and not as cold or windy as the Pacific side. You’re close to both towns: San José offers colonial charm and culture, while Cabo San Lucas has the nightlife and energy.”

Nearly three decades after leaving Vancouver for Mexico, Jensen has seen tourism in the region evolve into a more refined, luxury-focused experience. “The area commands higher rates than many other destinations in Mexico, which helps set a higher standard of quality and experience,” she says.

That appeal is catching Canadian attention too. “As we [Cabo Real Surf Club] enter our first peak season, we are seeing a noticeable increase in Canadian interest,” notes Jensen.

Los Cabos’ vibrant expat community adds to the draw, thanks to the warm climate, lower cost of living and convenient flights. “As per Article 27 of the Mexican Constitution, owning property in Mexico as a Canadian is certainly possible,” she explains.

“Many foreigners purchase real estate for residential purposes within the ‘restricted zone,’ which is all of the Baja, through a trust for 50 years (renewable in perpetuity). With this trust, the trustee bank retains title to the property, and the foreigner is the beneficiary and may use and enjoy the property as fee simple ownership. The acquisition, tax or property purchase tax is the same for foreigners as it is for nationals, which is 3.5 per cent of the purchase price.”

Having purchased a home at Cabo Real herself, Jensen is excited about what’s ahead for the community, particularly the debut of more than $10 million in upgrades planned for the Robert Trent Jones II-designed golf course.

More than 500 homes are planned across multiple phases, including single-family residences with four home plans to choose from — two are developer-built, and two are homesites ready for owners’ custom builds.

The surf casitas offer 2,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor space on a single level with three bedrooms. The two-storey boardwalk homes feature an additional terrace on the second level and views of the wave basin from the front and the Pacific Ocean from the rear of the home.

Custom ocean-view villa lots and spacious estate lots can be purchased with four- to six-bedroom floor plans. “The working drawings are ready to go,” says Jensen. “We have three preferred builders, but people can bring their own builders too.”

Brooks opted to stay close to the action, purchasing a surf casita, which offers easy access to the central wave basin. “The open floor plans, indoor/outdoor living areas and private backyard pools really attracted me,” she says. “I also like the double-car garages, as storage is a big plus for me.”

Boardwalk homes are located directly along the edge of the wave basin. Each home sits on a quarter-acre lot, with homes starting at over 5,000 square feet.

“The boardwalk home is unique because we only have 21 on the property,” says Michael Schwab, Meriwether development partner. From the architecture to the landscaping, he says design is central to the Cabo Real development.

“The design team is led by Sordo Madaleno, one of the world’s pre-eminent contemporary architects,” explains Schwab, son of famous billionaire investment broker Charles Schwab. “We are leaning into using modern forms and natural materials that blend into the landscape. Each home is designed to maximize views of the [ocean] and surrounding mountains.”

The residences are designed as a seamless reflection of the desert-meets-ocean surroundings, blending natural textures with contemporary form. Local materials, such as stone, rammed earth and pigmented concrete, echo the region’s organic tones, while streamlined architecture and sculpted roofs lend a modern counterpoint.

Inside, regionally crafted furnishings soften the spaces, creating a comfortable retreat after a day of sun, sand and surf. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping views from every living room and primary suite, and each home extends outdoors with private pools and open-air showers.

The amenities’ esthetic will mirror that natural style with lush landscaping, primarily plants native to the area. “We’ve preserved [more than] 4,000 protected plants in a nursery and will replant them in their original orientation,” says Jensen.

When asked what a perfect day at Cabo Real would look like, Schwab, an avid surfer, describes a morning surf session followed by recovery time in wellness lounges equipped with saunas, cold plunges, hot tubs, a spa and stretching rooms. Later in the day, he’d play a round of golf, followed by sunset cocktails at the private beach, then dinner at one of the golf or surf clubhouses.

Looking ahead, Brooks sees Cabo Real as more than just a surf destination. It’s a retreat where she can unwind after competitions, spend meaningful time with family and friends, and be part of a like-minded, active community.

“This is where I want to be when I’m not competing,” she says. “It’s the kind of place that lets you grow into it — on the waves and off.”

Project: Cabo Real Surf Club

Project address: Zona del interior, México 1 Supermanzana km 19.5, 23457 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico

Developers: Meriwether Companies, Grupo Questro and Clubs Desarolla

Architecture and Interior Design: Sordo Madaleno Architecture & Design Studio

Project size: More than 500 detached residences planned across multiple phases. Construction of Phase 1 to be completed late 2026.

Scope: Cabo Real Surf Club members will have access to a surf wave basin and surf clubhouse, a private beach club with an infinity pool and beach for swimming, a fitness and wellness/recovery spa, racquet sports courts, hiking and biking trails, and an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse. Memberships start at US$150,000.

Price: Homesites are available from US$1.3M and turnkey surf casitas from $2.75M. Option to purchase surf casitas and boardwalk homes with furnishings.

Phone: 1-310-594-7325

Website: caborealsurfclub.com

For more information about Canadian citizens staying in Mexico visit travel.gc.ca/destinations/mexico

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Since its launch in 2022, Vancouver Island’s Wildflower Mercantile has blossomed into a community favourite.

Known for its locally grown flowers and creative homeware, the Comox-based boutique’s latest in-house line — Wildflower Bath, Body & Home — distils its founder’s love of design, nature and sustainability into a collection of home and beauty essentials created from all-natural, non-toxic and biodegradable ingredients.

We caught up with founder Emily Yewchuk to find out more.

Q. For anyone unfamiliar with your business, what is Wildflower Bath, Body & Home?

Wildflower Bath, Body & Home is our in-house line for Wildflower Mercantile, which is a floral and lifestyle boutique in Comox. We launched the line this summer as an extension of our refill program. It began with a few core essentials and has grown into a full curated collection of bath, body, and home products available both for refill and as beautifully bottled stand-alone pieces.

Q. How has the Wildflower brand evolved since it began?

Wildflower Mercantile — the mother brand — started in 2022 in Courtenay. My background is in commercial photography, but after moving back to Vancouver Island, my love of gardening led me into florals and homeware design. When a beautiful heritage building came up for lease, I decided to take the leap into retail. We opened our first store selling home goods and flowers, and after two years, we moved into a larger, modern space in Comox. That move allowed us to refine our direction, while learning what worked, what didn’t, and what felt authentic to us as a team.

Now, Wildflower has evolved into a clean, intentionally curated brand focused on natural, mostly Canadian-sourced products and a thoughtful, design-forward approach to everyday essentials.

Q. What sets it apart from the rest?

It’s about creating products that are both beautiful and functional. We care deeply about ingredient integrity, and everything we make is natural, biodegradable, and scented only with essential oils. No artificial fragrances. Our goal is to design items you love having on display — things that look and smell good but also perform exceptionally well.

Q: Tell us about your new line of products

The Signature Collection is our core line. It’s the scents and formulations that really define Wildflower. The inspiration comes from my connection to gardening and the natural world. I grow citrus trees in my greenhouse, and the scent of citrus blossoms in spring was something I wanted to capture. Another scent was inspired by that earthy, green fragrance when you water tomato plants in the evening. I wanted our products to evoke those fresh, natural, and familiar moments — not synthetic.

Q: Is there a customer a favourite, and why do you think it resonates?

Our Soft Skin Lotion has been a standout, and people come back for it in multiples. It’s citrus-forward but rounded with vanilla notes, so it feels fresh and warm at the same time. Our All-Purpose Cleaner has also developed a loyal following. Customers tell us it performs beautifully, and we’ve even had local Airbnb hosts start using it in their properties.

Q. What’s the price range, and how does your refill program work?

Our products range from about $12 to $36, with refill options priced lower to encourage reuse. We also offer three-litre refill pouches, so customers can top up their bottles at home. We’re big believers in reducing waste, and the glass packaging is meant to be reused, not discarded.

Q. Where can people find Wildflower products?

You can shop online at wildflowermercantile.ca or visit our boutique in Comox. We’re also looking to partner with other like-minded shops across B.C. to make refills more accessible. The goal is to support small businesses like ours and create a more sustainable, community-based retail experience.

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Touted as a “luxury tree fort on a cliff’s edge”, this ocean- and mountain-view Squamish property built into solid granite high above the Squamish and Mamquam valleys certainly feels like an exclusive hideout. But with five bedrooms, four bathrooms and more than 3,500 square feet of living space, it has a lot more room than your typical playhouse up a pine tree. And it’s not just for kids.

Built in 1960, the home underwent a major renovation in 1975, then again in 2022 when current owner Lindsay McIvor and her husband purchased the property. “I could see the potential of the home,” says McIvor. “And the land is so special. You get views you don’t get anywhere else in Squamish. We have windows in every direction and we’re not concerned about privacy. It really does feel like a tree fort.”

McIvor and her husband hired Skladan Architecture to completely rebuild the house right down to the framing. Annaliesse Kelly, founder and creative director of AK Design, led the redesign to enhance the home’s modern mountain esthetic while maintaining its strong connection to the natural landscape.

“We had to respect the character and soul of the architecture, and honour the era it was designed in,” says McIvor. “I would call it traditional architecture with a bit of mid-century twist in terms of the way we placed the windows, which are off centre and to the side. The interior finishings have that colour that you find in more of a mid-century home. It was kind of an ode to the 1960s character of the home.”

McIvor says that, because the house is situated on top of granite, the original builders had to do a massive amount of blasting. “That kind of blasting is so expensive to do now. The concrete of the house was (attached) directly to the granite. It’s really on there.”

And in there: the interior stairs were built on top of exposed granite, a nod to the nearby Stawamus Chief mountain, and a room that is used as a gym is “basically underground,” says McIvor. “The concrete wall is up against granite. I joke that it could double as a bomb shelter.”

That melding of concrete with natural granite is what impressed Jenna Franze, personal real estate corporation at Stilhavn Real Estate Services, who’s handling the sale of the property. “What really stood out to me was the craftsmanship in the concrete work around the exterior and entryway,” she says. “The way the design integrates the natural rock formations into the home itself is truly impressive.”

Valley views

The abundance of natural light that streams in through the many, well-placed windows that look out onto the Stawamus Chief and Mamquam mountains, combined with the lofty, 12-foot high cathedral ceilings of the main living area, further add to the tree fort feel of the home.

The expanded deck space also takes advantage of the views. “It has a nice indoor-outdoor flow when the weather is decent,” says McIvor. “We maximized the deck space because of that.”

She says she also admired the original gardens that cover the half-acre lot. “The former owner had planted a beautiful garden, nothing like I had seen in Squamish. There are such a variety of species of trees and perennials and annuals like what you would see in Victoria or Vancouver.”

Kitchen and bathrooms

The kitchen, remodelled by Squamish company Solo Designs, features high-end Thermador appliances, including a push-to-open, integrated fridge and freezer, and a built-in coffee maker that can be concealed behind custom cabinetry. The large quartz island serves as a stylish centrepiece for food prep or entertaining. Engineered hardwood oak spans the home, with white oak in the kitchen, living room and book shelving.

The spa-like ensuite bathroom features a soaker tub, heated floors, integrated LED lighting, and one of three skylights found throughout the home.

Garage and mud room

The newly added double-car garage, with extra storage space for activity gear, also has EV charging capability. The garage leads directly into a spacious mud room which, says McIvor, “has good flow from the garage into a fully equipped mud room. Everything you need is in there — laundry, utility space, extra storage. You can come home dirty from your mountain bike ride, take off your gear, (and hit the) shower in the bathroom down the hall.”

McIvor says she and her husband designed the home to reflect who they are: an active Squamish family. “It really is a dream family home that’s not so big that you don’t ever see your kids. It doesn’t feel industrial or cavernous; it’s got a lot of character and cosiness.”

The Northridge neighbourhood is close to shops, restaurants and other amenities across the Sea to Sky Highway, and is within walking distance of five schools. “That’s been important to me, especially when we had little kids,” says McIvor. “We value the ability to bike and walk everywhere.”

Location: 38243 Vista Crescent, Squamish

Listed for: $4,199,000

Year built: 1960

Type: Five bedrooms, four bathrooms

Size: Living area, 3,588 sq ft; deck/patio space, 989 sq ft

Realtor: Jenna Franze, personal real estate corporation, Stilhavn Real Estate Services

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