Organic Gardening News

In the 1990s, a disease, identified as boxwood blight, began affecting and often destroying boxwood plants in Europe.

Both residential and centuries-old collections were casualties.

By 2011, this disease had spread to both Canada and the U.S., causing significant harm to boxwood plantings. Both the Buxus sempervirens and the very low-growing, compact variety, Buxus sempervirens Suffruticosa, were highly vulnerable.

In the late ’90s, a renowned Belgium grower, Didier Hermans, working with the Flemish Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries, began a meticulous breeding process of developing blight resistant varieties. After two decades of scientific research and breeding and trialing a range of blight resistant varieties, a branded series, known as Better Boxwood, was developed and is now available in Canada.

There are four different varieties in this new series, each with its own size, shape and unique characteristics. All of them are also deer- and pest-resistant, making these new boxwoods a much-valued garden plant.

Buxus Babylon Beauty is a very compact variety that spreads wider than it grows tall, measuring about three-feet tall by four-feet wide. It’s ideally used as a low hedge or foundation plant to cover unsightly cement exposures, as well as open areas under decks and raised patios. It’s also a great hardy Zone 5 container plant. Unlike many boxwood varieties, it keeps its evergreen vibrancy all year long, which is especially appreciated during the winter. As a landscape plant, it works beautifully for both formal and informal plantings.

The Buxus Heritage variety has the traditional boxwood look with some of the deepest dark green foliage available. Size-wise, it’s reasonably compact and would work well as a lower-growing hedge. Heritage is a very symmetrical growing variety, making it ideal for shaping as a topiary. From a narrow pyramid to a stately columnar form, it’s one of the easiest boxwoods to shape. Quite at home in a container, it will also make an excellent patio specimen and will require only a minimum of maintenance. Hardy to Zone 5, this Buxus will suit many locations, growing about four-feet tall, with a spread of 2 1/2 feet.

If you’re looking for a more traditional rounded form, Buxus Renaissance might be your plant. This variety can be contoured into intricate topiaries and stunning parterres. Its compact growth habit and dense, lush appearance means it’s an excellent candidate for use as a specimen plant, by itself in a container, or for a row of hedging that will require far less maintenance than other varieties. Renaissance holds its deep green colour over the winter far better than traditional varieties. Also hardy to Zone 5, it’s a fantastic new variety, growing about 2 1/2-feet tall and three-feet wide.

Skylight is the largest member of the Better Boxwood collection. Growing up to eight-feet tall and three- to four-feet wide, it makes a stunning columnar specimen. It also grows rather quickly, creating a faster hedge or screen. Where screening on a patio is important, Skylight might be one of your best options. With its attractive, mid-green colouring, that lightens up nicely when the new spring growth starts, it’s a refreshing variety that fits so many landscape situations.

I met the lady representing Better Boxwood at the Farwest Show in Portland last August, and she was thrilled with the response to these new, blight-resistant varieties.

One of our local B.C. wholesale nurseries, that has the rights to distribute Better Boxwoods to retailers, also introduced another blight-resistant variety, called Buxus Little Missy. Found in Georgia in the U.S., this very compact variety has been available in our area for a few years now and has become a favourite. Growing only about 18-inches high and 24-inches wide, and with vibrant, shiny green leaves, even in winter, it makes a perfect low hedge.

When I asked our local producers for comments about this new blight-resistant variety, they stressed how incredibly clean and vibrant these plants are at all times of the year.

This is a huge step forward from many of the older traditional varieties that had dull orange or bronze winter foliage. I think all of these new Better Boxwood varieties are a welcome addition to our boxwood selections and will stop the losses of so many of our beautiful boxwood hedges and plantings.

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Inspired by the characteristics of single-family homes — large kitchens, open-concept living areas and generous outdoor space — Cressey’s Rockford development is designed to appeal to downsizers who want to remain in the Ocean Park, South Surrey community.

Rockford will be a C-shaped building comprising 63 homes slated for the 65,000 square feet site at 128th Street and 17th Avenue, says Nathan Gurvich, Cressey’s senior development manager.

The concrete building will comprise a retail podium plus three levels of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, all with at least one parking stall and EV rough-in (most two- and three-bedroom units have two parking stalls).

When Cressey acquired the site, deciding on the target buyer market for the development was influenced by the community of people who have lived in single-family homes in the neighbourhood for decades and are now looking for smaller, more convenient homes.

Gurvich says there is strong demand for the few condos that come onto the market in the area.

“From our point of view, it was exceptionally clear who we’re building this for. We’re building this for the local community, the people that want to stay in Ocean Park,” he says. “Their kids are there, their grandkids are there, their friends are there, they want to stay in the neighbourhood.”

Gurvich notes that appealing to a buyer group that has lived in single-family homes for a significant time is always challenging.

With Rockford, Cressey is providing the features one would expect in a single-family home and presenting it in a condo, he says, adding there will be a “a sense of entry” into the homes and they will feature large kitchens, space to entertain and walk-through closets that lead to ensuite bathrooms.

The C-shaped building takes advantage of different exposures and also creates a central courtyard with a big outdoor kitchen, a sunken fire pit and a Nordic-inspired spa that will include a steam room, sauna, an outdoor hot tub and cold plunge pool.

Indoor amenities will include a fitness room, kitchen and social lounge with a large screen TV and harvest table for group get-togethers.

Gurvich says there has been a focus on creating areas where residents can socialize and build a strong sense of community.

“We were pretty cognizant of that (aspect) as we laid out the large level two outdoor podium area — we wanted it to feel like a natural landscape environment with areas to meander and where residents can socialize,” he says.

And then there’s the secret garden, created as a result of a design decision to cut units that would typically be in the corners of the C-shaped building, and create an extra outdoor space. The result is a unique feature that enables an internal corridor of the Yamamoto Architecture-designed building to back onto the garden.

“When you’re on level four and you’re walking down the interior corridor you’ll walk right by this secret garden. Portions of the corridor are glass, and you can see right out into the garden,” says Gurvich, adding the garden design has a Japanese influenced minimalistic esthetic with specimen trees, a rock garden, ferns and other plantings.

For the interiors, Trepp Design Inc.’s Scott Trepp created two colour and material palettes for Rockford: Sand (light) and Stone (dark). The Stone scheme has warm dark grey undertones in the cabinetry and flooring, while the Sand palette has honey toned cabinetry with lighter flooring.

“We understand that people are going to live here, they’re going to be hardworking spaces. So while we use natural stone in the kitchen for the backsplash, we stick with (quartz) for the countertops,” says Gurvich adding there is a focus on functionality, such as the pullout unit to maximize corner cabinets, convenient electrical outlets and cutlery organizers.

Major appliances (refrigerator, gas cooktop, convection wall oven, speed oven and dishwasher) are by Bertazzoni.

In the other area that attracts a lot of attention — the ensuite bathroom — the most striking feature will be the 12- by 24-inch floor to ceiling tiles that will evoke a luxurious ambience, says Gurvich. The ensuite includes a soaker tub, shower with frameless glass enclosure, double vanity and an integrated medicine cabinet.

Rockford will also include 19 penthouses, distinguished by significant private rooftop space with an outdoor kitchen.

Project address: 1679 128th Street, Ocean Park, South Surrey

Developer: Cressey

Architect: Yamamoto Architecture

Interior designer: Trepp Design Inc.

Project size: 63 homes

Number of bedrooms: 1-, 2- and 3-bedrooms

Price: One-bedroom units starting from $799,900; two-bedroom units starting from $1,134,900; two-bedroom and den units starting from $1,494,900; three-bedroom units starting from $1,764,900; penthouses range from $1,009,900 to $2,499,900+

Sales centre: #103 1797 152 Street, Surrey

Centre hours: By appointment

Phone: 604.562.5317

Website: rockfordbycressey.com

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

115 — 400 Klahanie Dr., Port Moody

Type: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment

Size: 945 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $761,000

Listed for: $799,900

Sold for: $787,000

Sold on: Feb. 28

Days on market in this listing: Five

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

Buyers agent: Chris Strand PREC at Oakwyn Realty

The big sell: Port Moody’s Klahanie is a master-planned community situated at the head of Burrard Inlet that was developed by Polygon Homes. It offers a collection of townhouse and apartment residences with West Coast design appeal, and access to the Canoe Club, a 15,000-square-foot facility that provides an outdoor swimming pool, whirlpool, fitness studio, tennis courts, screening room, youth lounge, and guest suites. This particular home resides in Tides, a four-storey building that backs onto private greenbelt. The fully-renovated suite has a ground-level position with an open-concept living area, two bedrooms and two full bathrooms. There are hardwood floors throughout, stainless-steel appliances, granite counters, custom closets, and new lighting, paintwork and tiling. It has a large fully-fenced yard, and comes with parking, and a monthly maintenance fee of $489.84. Pets and rentals are permitted with restrictions.

TH 1657 Ontario St., Vancouver

Type: Two-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse

Size: 1,169 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,232,000

Listed for: $1,299,900

Sold for: $1,290,000

Sold on: Jan. 30

Days on market in this listing: Seven

Listing agent: Danny Chow PREC and Salina Kai PREC at Rennie & Associates Realty

Buyers agent: Joe Traversa PREC, Daniella Traversa and Dante Traversa at Skyline West Realty

The big sell: Sails at The Village on False Creek is home to this two-storey townhouse with street-level entry. Built in 2010, Sails features 114 units with membership to the premium amenities at the nearby Gold Medal Club with an indoor swimming pool, fitness and yoga rooms, sauna and hot tub, while also enjoying the tower’s own facilities including a gym and a party room. The interior of this home features an open-plan main floor with nine-foot-high ceilings, expansive windows, and an east-facing outlook. The linear kitchen has Eggersmann cabinets, Miele and Sub-Zero appliances, a large island that can seat four, and a built-in pantry. Both bedrooms are upstairs alongside a storage room, insuite washer and dryer, and a five-piece primary ensuite that revels in a double vanity, soaker tub and a walk-in rain shower. The home has a parking stall and a storage locker, and a monthly maintenance fee of $821.57.

1606 — 4388 Buchanan St., Burnaby

Size: 1,192 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $922,000

Listed for: $899,000

Sold for: $860,000

Sold on: Dec. 17

Days on market in this listing: 30

Listing agent: Ryan Wong PREC at Rennie & Associates Realty

Buyers agent: Jennifer Ricci PREC at Macdonald Realty

The big sell: Bosa’s Buchanan West tower is located in Brentwood Park with close proximity to the new Amazing Brentwood mall, SkyTrain, grocery stores, eateries and other conveniences. This upper-level unit has almost 1,200 square feet of living space complemented by a southwesterly aspect that provides city and mountain views. The 19-foot-long living room can fit house-sized furniture, while three bedrooms can accommodate families or offer home office solutions. The interior has fresh paintwork, a new oven, updated carpets, a gas fireplace, and there is a spacious balcony that can be accessed via sliding glass doors from two of the bedrooms as well as from the living room. The building’s amenities include a party room, hot tub/sauna, playground, rooftop garden, and a gym. The home comes with one parking stall, a storage locker, and a monthly maintenance fee of $545.03.

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

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

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Design Victoria launched in 2023 and returns to Vancouver Island May 1 to 4. This four-day event highlights the city’s vibrant and growing design community. It includes over 50 free events spanning architecture, interior design, fashion, graphic and product design.

“Design Victoria provides a platform to celebrate local talent and ideas shaping the city’s design identity and future, says the festival’s director Carla Sorrell. Here, Sorrell gives us some insight into what showgoers will see.

Fast growing design event

Since it launched in 2023, Design Victoria has grown from 20 design events to more than 50, and from around 3,000 attendees to over 4,500. Sorrell says she’s continually surprised by the creativity and ambition in the design community in Victoria.

“Something that shouldn’t come as a surprise, but still does, is the amount of attention we are getting from off the Island, and across Canada,” she says. “The demand from both visitors, exhibitors and partners has shown that there is a high level of interest in design-related activity in the region.” 

How global events have shaped this year’s festival

Canadian companies are looking across the country for new markets, says Sorrell. The designers involved in their festival are proudly promoting Canadian production, and consumers are looking for Canadian products, she says. “We’ve had increased interest from Canadian businesses located outside Victoria who want to access local (Canadian) markets. Companies from three major Canadian cities are hosting events at the festival this year, including Montauk, Urban Bonfire, Patkau Studio and Matthew McCormick Studio.”

Tell us about the Unseen Victoria exhibition

Unseen Victoria is a community-sourced exhibition created by Cascadia Architects uncovering the often-overlooked design stories from around Victoria, says Sorrell. “Cascadia Architects have been an ambitious contributor to the festival and I am excited about this exhibition and accompanying panel discussion. I think it will shine a light on how design adds meaning to people’s lives locally, how it contributes to the rich tapestry of our city, and how it shapes the ways people move and interact with each other and the places around them.”

The festival covers a wide range of design disciplines

Design shows up in so many places, so they went wide in reaching out to businesses and individuals, says Sorrell. “This year we have the founder of Elate Cosmetics speaking about sustainable product design in the beauty industry and Abkhazi Garden about the role of design in both the landscaping and architecture but also in the sustainable future of the gardens themselves.”

Studios open their doors to the public

So much of what happens creatively goes on behind closed doors, from interior design offices and big architecture firms to small, personal studios. By opening these spaces to the public, during Design Victoria, people can learn about all the creative goings on.

“It’s important to me is that young people have the chance to gain exposure to the city’s creative sector so they can start to see pathways into the field for themselves,” says Sorrell.

Who is your audience?

In the past few years, festival attendees have been a mix of industry professionals and people who just love design, says Sorrell. “All events are very accessible in terms of discourse as well as vibe, presenting ideas that are complex but not elite.”

Visit Design Victoria to learn more.

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From copper-toned shingles to bold front doors, designers say Canadians are taking more pride than ever in their home’s exterior for spring and summer.

Making the most of your roof

Most people think practical first and foremost when it comes to their choice of roof, and that’s got to be the priority. But roof shingles in warm, earthy shades that blend with the natural environment are now being used as key design features, says Nathalie Perreault, colour and design specialist with BP Canada .

Your roof makes up about a third of the visible surface of your house, so the shingles you choose will affect its overall appearance, she says.

“People are increasingly proud of the image their home exudes, whether it’s exterior facade or backyard ambience. A roof can significantly upgrade the look and feel of a home and is a major investment that you’ll be living with for at least 25 years, so it’s important to make the right choice.”

Don’t make choosing your roof a chore

People are pretty enthusiastic about renovating their kitchens, so why not their roofs?

“We consider copper colours to be the new neutrals, and we think these shades are here to stay,” says Perreault.

In our increasingly complex world, consumers are opting for calming, organic decor and these choices are extending to their homes’ exteriors as well.

“Understated, elegant and versatile, these hues draw inspiration from nature (mountains, rocks, etc.) to create a flexible esthetic that blends harmoniously with the environment that surrounds each home no matter where they’re located and complements all types of homes,” says Perreault.

Paint that punches above its weight

If a new roof isn’t in the budget, a litre of paint could still work wonders and you might want to start with your front door, says Sharon Grech, Benjamin Moore’s colour and design expert.

“A fresh coat of paint and a new colour on the front door is a sure way to up the curb appeal on a tight budget and tight time frame, she says.

And unless your door is in rough shape — needing to be patched, sanded and primed — you will just need a litre of paint and some basic materials such as a drop sheet, painter’s tape and a good quality paintbrush, she says.

Tones that work year-round

The key to exterior colours with staying power is working with the home’s materials — not against them, says Grech.

“ It’s essential to assess the building and landscape materials and find paint colours that tone in with those. Generally neutral tones, from dark to light, warm to cool are more timeless options for the larger body of the house with the smaller details being reserved for more trend-forward colour accents. Neutrals aren’t only off-white, grey and beige. Toned blues and greens (neutralized with grey) are also popular neutrals with a timeless quality,” she says.

Test before you paint

Spring can be a great time to paint — but only if the weather co-operates. Grech urges caution with timing. Porous surfaces like wood, brick, stone and concrete absorb water and take some time to dry, so it’s important to give a couple of days of dry time after rain to ensure paint and stain will adhere, she says.

And don’t forget prep.

“Be sure to clean surfaces thoroughly, with special attention to removing mildew before coating,” says Grech.

To make sure you love the colour before committing, Grech recommends painting samples on boards and moving them around outside.

“Natural light will hit your home differently at different times of the day, so it’s a good idea to test out some paint colour options, painted on boards, viewing them outside.

“It’s much more economical to buy a few small brush-on samples to try out before purchasing gallons of paint and not loving the colour,” she says.

Think beyond walls and doors

Grech encourages homeowners to experiment with paint colours in unexpected places:

“A porch ceiling is a great opportunity for colour as are smaller architectural details such as shutters, garage doors and window trim.”

The result can be subtle or bold, but it always feels thoughtful, she says.

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We are fortunate to have so many community garden clubs and plant associations that are keeping gardening alive and growing in our communities. They help educate folks who are new to gardening, promote greening urban areas and advocate for more colour in our downtown areas. Many of these associations also put on shows focused on specific plants, such as rose, dahlia, chrysanthemum and bonsai plants to inspire new gardeners.

Plant sales are often the main fundraisers for these groups, and they are generally held in spring or early summer. Not only do the funds raised help keep these associations financially viable, some clubs use the income to sponsor scholarships and bursaries for students furthering their education in horticulture, or make donations to community parks and gardens.

The following is a list of just some of the many garden events planned throughout the province this spring. Many are cash only and tours or shows may require advanced ticket purchases. For more information, please visit each club’s website or Facebook page. Please note, many garden associations and community groups are planning summer events as well, so keep watch on their sites for more exciting things to come.

Here is a list of the many upcoming opportunities to support horticulture, education and training. Your support is greatly appreciated:

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

When: Until April 28
Where: Venues throughout Vancouver
More info: vcbf.ca

Darts Hill Garden Park Plant Sales

When: April 19, May 31 and Sept. 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Darts Hill Garden Park 1633 170th St., Surrey
More info: dartshill.ca

Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Show and Sale

When: April 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where : Qualicum Beach Curling Club, 644 Memorial Ave., Qualicum Beach
More info: marsrhodos.ca

Cowichan Valley Garden Club Spring Plant Sale

When : April 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where : Outside Siem Le’Lum Gym, 5574 River Rd., Duncan
More info: cowichanvalleygardenclub.com

Dunbar Garden Club Annual Perennial Plant Sale

When: April 26, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: 3806 Highbury Street at 37th Ave., Vancouver
More info: dunbar-vancouver.org

Gibsons Garden Club Annual Plant/Garden Décor/Bake Sale

When: April 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Gibsons Royal Canadian Legion, 747 Gibsons Way, Gibsons
More info: gibsonsgardenclub.ca

Nanaimo Gladiolus and Dahlia Society Glad Corm and Dahlia Tuber Sale

When: April 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where : Country Club Centre, 3200 North Island Hwy., Nanaimo
More info: nanaimogladiolusanddahliasociety.ca

PoCo Garden Club Indoor Plant/Garage/Bake Sale

When: April 26, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where : Trinity United Church, 2211 Prairie Ave., Port Coquitlam
More info: pocogardenclub.wordpress.com

Alpine Garden Club of B.C. Spring Sale and Show

When : April 27, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: The Floral Hall, VanDusen Botanical Garden, 37th and Oak St., Vancouver
More info: www.agc-bc.ca

North Island Rhododendron Society Sale and Show

When: April 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: K’ómoks First Nation Hall, 3330 Comox Rd., Comox
More info: nirsrhodos.ca

Chilliwack Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

When: May 3, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where : Cooke’s Presbyterian Church, 45825 Wellington Ave., Chilliwack
More info: chilliwackgardenclub.com

Dogwood Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

When: May 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where : Dogwood Pavillion Parking Lot, 1655 Winslow Ave., Coquitlam
More info: dogwoodgardenclub.weebly.com

Kelowna Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

When: May 3, 9 a.m.
Where : Guisachan Heritage Park, 1060 Cameron Ave., Kelowna
More info: kelownagardenclub.ca

Maple Ridge Garden Club Plant & Bake Sale

When: May 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Golden Ears Cheesecrafters, 22270 128 Ave., Maple Ridge
More info : mrgardenclub@wix.com

Nanaimo Horticultural Society Plant Sale

When: May 3, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where : Nanaimo North Town Centre, 4750 Rutherford Rd., Nanaimo
More info: nanaimohort.org

New Westminster Horticultural Society Annual Plant Sale

When: May 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where : St. Thomas More Collegiate, 7450 12th Ave., Burnaby
More info: newwesthortsociety.org

North Surrey Horticultural Society

When: May 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Grace Community Church, 14618 110 Ave., Surrey
More info: Facebook: North Surrey Horticultural Society

Richmond Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

When : May 3, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Paulik Park, 7620 Heather St., Richmond
More info: richmondgardenclub.ca

South Burnaby Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

When: May 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 7405 Royal Oak Ave., Burnaby
More info: southburnabygardenclub.ca

South Surrey Garden Club Plant Sale

When: May 3, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: St. Mark’s Anglican Church, 12953 20th Ave., Surrey
More info: southsurreygardenclub.ca

West Vancouver Garden Club Plant Sale

When: May 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Gleneagles Community Center, 6262 Marine Dr., West Vancouver
More info: westvangardenclub.com

White Rock and District Garden Club Plant and Bake Sale

When: May 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where : Ocean Park Community Hall, 1577 128 St., Surrey
More info: white-rock-garden-club.ca

Burnaby Blooms

When : May 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Deer Lake Park Festival Lawn, 6450 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby
More info: burnaby.ca

Victoria Cactus and Succulent Society Spring Show and Sale

When: May 9, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., and May 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Church of the Advent, 510 Mount View Ave., Colwood
More info: vcss.info

Armstrong and District Garden Club Plant Sale

When : May 10, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: IPE Fairgrounds, 3315 Pleasant Valley Rd., Armstrong
More info: armstronggardenclub.com

Bowen Island Garden Club Plant Sale

When: May 10, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Bowen Island Legion, 1265 Scarborough Rd., Bowen Island
More info: bowenislandgardenclub.ca

Campbell River Garden Club Plant Sale

When : May 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Campbell River Community Centre, 401-11th Ave., Campbell River
More info: campbellrivergardenclub.com

Kamloops Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

When: May 10, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Heritage House, 100 Lorne St. (In Riverside Park), Kamloops
More info: Facebook: Kamloops Garden Club

London Heritage Farm Plant Sale

When : May 10 and May 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where : 6511 Dyke Rd., Richmond.
More info: londonfarm.ca

Lynn Valley Garden Club Plant Sale

When: May 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: St. Clements Church Parking Lot 3400 Institute Rd., North Vancouver
More Info: lynnvalleygardenclub.org

Mt. Lehman Garden Club Spring Plant Sale

When: May 10, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Where: Mt. Lehman Hall, 6418 Mt. Lehman Rd., Abbotsford

Pitt Meadows Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

When: May 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Pitt Meadows Community Church Hall, 12119 Harris Rd. (at Ford), Pitt Meadows
More info: pittmeadowsgardenclub.ca

Seed to Sky Garden Club Plant Sale

When: May 10, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Where: Cityview Church, 4370 Sophia St., Vancouver

Sooke Garden Club Mother’s Day Plant Sale

When: May 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Evergreen Centre, 6660 Sooke Rd., Sooke
More info: sookegardenclub.ca

Vernon and District Garden Club Annual Sale

When : May 10, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: Home Hardware Building Centre, 4601 27th St., Vernon
More info: vernongardenclub.ca

David Douglas Botanical Garden Society Spring Plant Sale

When: May 18 and May 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: UNBC Parking Lot A and DDBGS Compound
More info: ddbotgarden.bc.ca

The Vancouver Ikebana Association Spring Show

When: May 24 and May 25
Where: National Nikkei Heritage Centre, 6688 Southoaks Cres., Burnaby
More info: vancouver-ikebana.ca

Gwynne Vaughan Park Annual Plant Sale and Garden Party

When: June 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 46181 Hope River Rd. (at Williams Rd.), Chilliwack
More info: gwynnevaughanpark.ca

The Desert Plant Society of Vancouver Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale

When : June 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and June 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where : Floral Hall VanDusen Botanical Garden, 37th and Oak St., Vancouver
More info: desertplantsocietyofvancouver.com

The Fraser Pacific Rose Society: Romance of the Rose

When: June 21, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and June 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Dogwood Centennial Pavilion 1655 Winslow St., Coquitlam
More info: fprosesociety.org

Kamloops Garden Club Annual Flower Show and Tea

When: June 21, 8 a.m. competition drop off, 1:30 p.m. admission
Where: Heritage House, 100 Lorne St. (In Riverside Park), Kamloops
More info: Facebook: Kamloops Garden Club

South Delta Garden Club Garden Tour 2025

When: June 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Select locations in Ladner and Tsawwassen
More info: southdeltagardenclub.ca/garden-tour-2025

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Community is at the core of Placemaker Communities’ mixed-use development — Mary Anne’s Place — in the heart of Port Moody’s heritage conservation area. Support from locals, creating community nodes to encourage gatherings and connections and naming the development for a well-loved heritage activist are key aspects of the development slated to start this fall.

Designed by GBL Architects, Mary Anne’s Place will comprise two six-storey buildings on a 52,000-square-foot site on Clarke Street in the city’s historic downtown. There are 98 strata units in one building and 79 rental apartments in the second mid-rise plus 25,000 sq. ft of street level commercial space.

The condos for sale include one- to three-bedroom units ranging in size from 520 to 1,036 sq. ft, plus five 555 to 945 sq. ft live/work units.

“Placemaking is an urban planning term for creating a node of connection,” says Placemaker’s president and managing principal Hesam Deihimi, explaining the link between the developer’s name and the philosophy behind Mary Anne’s Place and noting key aspects of the design that will encourage interaction and socializing.

One of these is the pedestrian mews between the two buildings that will include seating, a children’s play area and public art.

Another major feature is the plan to relocate the P. Burns & Co. heritage building to a more prominent location on the northwest of the site, an initiative that is intended to revitalize Queen Street Plaza, says Deihimi.

Originally a butcher shop, the two-storey building is a municipally designated and protected building, notes the 2021 Conservation Plan by Donald Luxton and Associates Inc., and has a distinctive ‘Boomtown’ false-facade. The shop was part of a chain established by Patrick Burns , businessman, philanthropist, Canadian senator and one of the four “cattle kings” who founded the Calgary Stampede.

Last year, Placemaker confirmed the new development would be named Mary Anne’s Place in honour of Mary Anne Cooper.

“She was a long-serving community leader and a passionate heritage conservation activist,” said Deihimi in a statement at the time.

“This is a human scale, urban master-plan community. It’s in the heritage conservation area, so you’re buying a piece of Port Moody’s history, almost. You’re away from the concrete jungle. It’s an accessible, walkable neighbourhood and it has a real sense of community with the mews and the plaza, the outdoor areas and the retail spaces that are targeted towards local small business owners,” says Deihimi, noting the site is a 10-minute walk to the Moody Centre Station that serves West Coast Express and the SkyTrain’s Evergreen line.

Natalia Kwasnicki, partner at Portico Interior Design, created two timeless and modern interior design schemes — Warm and Cool — for the Mary Anne’s Place homes. In the kitchens of the Warm scheme white lower cabinetry is paired with oak upper cabinets and a light, grey-veined polished quartz countertop that continues up to create the backsplash. A black matte faucet provides an interesting contrast.

The Cool option reflects many of the same design choices as the Warm scheme with dark charcoal lower cabinetry distinguishing the palette.

“The two-tone cabinetry in the kitchens helps create contrast that doesn’t feel unbalanced. Too much wood would feel suffocating, while too much [charcoal] would feel dark and too much white would feel sterile — balancing both creates a dynamic visual,” says Kwasnicki.

A set of open shelves in the kitchen breaks up the repetition of the cabinet doors and is visually interesting, says Kwasnicki adding the space provides homeowners a place to showcase their personal design style through their choice of cookbooks, beautiful crockery and other favourite objects.

In the ensuite bathrooms, the vanity wall is designed as a feature with 24 x 24-inch tiles.

“The tiles have a beautiful ceppo stone look reminiscent of the shores at Rocky Point Park,” says Kwasnicki, adding that the large format tiles look clean and modern and make the bathrooms appear more spacious and spa-like, as do the frameless glass enclosed showers with rainfall shower heads (plus a hand-held) and matte black fixtures.

Indoor amenities for residents include a co-working space, a social lounge, a kitchen and dining area suitable for hosting family and friend’s get-togethers, a children’s play area, a pet-wash station and a bike repair space.

Outside, there is a terrace with dining and barbecue area, a courtyard, putting greens, an outdoor spa and wellness area with sauna and community garden plots.

Deihimi says he anticipates the buildings will be complete by fall 2027.

Project: Mary Anne’s Place

Project address: 2400 block Clarke Street, Port Moody, B.C.

Developer: Placemaker Communities

Architect: GBL Architects

Interior designer: Portico Design Group

Project size: 98 units

Number of bedrooms: 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartment homes and live-work units.

Price: $549,900 to $1.099 million

Sales centre: 50 Queens Street, Port Moody

Centre hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed Fridays)

Phone: 604.629.4929

Website: maryannesplace.ca

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The Homebuilders Association Vancouver ( HAVAN ) celebrated the best of the best during the 16th annual Awards for Housing Excellence gala, held April 12 at The Westin Bayshore Vancouver.

This year saw a record-breaking 451 entries across 65 categories by 181 builders, renovators, and designers. The event showcased a diverse range of projects, from contemporary to classic designs, to cutting-edge, sustainable solutions that are defining the future of housing. More than 550 guests gathered to pay tribute to the winners for their creativity, innovation, and dedication to sustainability achievements in residential construction, renovation and design.

“Metro Vancouver is home to some of the most talented and visionary housing professionals in the country,” said Wendy McNeil, HAVAN CEO in a news release. “In the face of rising complexity — from shifting regulations to economic pressures — our members continue to deliver high-quality homes that meet the evolving needs of homeowners. The HAVAN Awards not only celebrate this dedication to excellence, they also serve as a powerful platform for members to connect with homeowners seeking trusted, award-winning professionals to bring their projects to life.”

We talk to five standout winners who took home multiple awards this year:

North Vancouver-based Twin Lions Contracting picked up seven wins, including the coveted Grand for Best Residential Renovator of the Year and Best Custom Home Builder of the Year.

“To be recognized as both Custom Home Builder of the Year and Renovator of the year is incredibly humbling,” said Kevin Hatch, president, Twin Lions Contracting.

The builder also took home Best Custom Home: $1.5 under $2 million for its Looking Forward in North Vancouver. The nearly 4,300 square-foot, four-bedroom home with a two-bedroom and bath basement suite was custom built for a professional couple with two young children.

“It was really exciting to see our Looking Forward project win a HAVAN Award as it is exactly an example of what we feel should be the “new normal” for building homes,” said Hatch. “The home is incredibly energy-efficient, hitting the Net-Zero ready standard, which will keep the long-term costs for our clients down. Cutting off fossil fuels and going all electric, high efficiency mechanical systems, next level air filtration, lots of glazing and natural light, beautiful finishes, and the list goes on.”

Another seven-win honouree was Surrey’s Miracon Development , with two Grands for Best Residential Community: Single-Family and Best Single-Family Home Builder of the Year.

“Receiving the Grand HAVAN Awards for Best Residential Community: Single-Family and Single-Family Home Builder of the Year is a tremendous honour for our team,” said Ryan O’Shea, president Miracon Developments.

The company also walked away with Best Single-Family Detached home (Production), 2,900 square-feet and over for Langley’s Mirada Estates — Founder Series, a collection of 13 three and four-bedroom homes, each with a one or two-bedroom legal suite.

“Mirada Estates — Founders Series is a true reflection of our vision to seamlessly blend luxury with functionality,” said O’Shea. “Located in Langley West, this exclusive collection of single-family homes is thoughtfully designed around a serene pond-side park, offering a peaceful and connected lifestyle. The Founders Series stands out for its meticulous craftsmanship, innovative floor plans, and harmonious integration with the natural environment.”

Langley’s Vesta Properties was thrilled with its six wins, including Grands for Best Residential Community: Multi-Family and Best Multi-Family Home Builder of the Year.

“Each award is a testament to the passion, precision, forethought, design and innovation our team brings to each community we build,” said Kent Sillars, president Vesta Properties. “From construction and design to community planning, we are proud to be recognized for our dedication to excellence not only to our Vesta team but our partners, trades, consultants and community.”

Award-winning The Towers at Latimer Heights features Langley’s first-ever 34 and 36-storey concrete highrise residential towers, situated within the 74-acre master-planned community of Latimer Heights, and surrounded by 17 acres of green space and manicured pathways.

My House Design/Build/Team with Emphasis Architecture +Design Studio together received four awards, with Emphasis winning the Grand for Interior Designer of the Year.

“These awards remind us that we’re not only upholding the high standards we set for ourselves, but also continuing to push creative boundaries with every project,” said Graeme Huguet, founder and general manager, My House Design/Build/Team.

“This is a milestone moment for us as an architecture and design studio, and we are incredibly proud to be named Grand HAVAN Interior Designer of the Year — it’s an honour that inspires us to keep raising the bar,” said Eric Douglas, architect/design manager, Emphasis Architecture + Design Studio.

The collaborators kudos for Timber + Light (Best Renovations: $700,000 — Under $1 million and Best Interior Design Renovated Home), and Elevated Living (Best Universal-Designed Home Adaptive/Accessible: New or Renovated), were especially rewarding.

Timber + Light is a multi-generational home, intended to be Net Zero Ready and Built Green Platinum certified.

“Special considerations were made for a daughter with respiratory challenges, as well as for a senior parent living in the home,” Huguet added. “It’s an efficient, healthy space that supports the needs of multiple generations under one roof.”

Douglas went on to say: “By reconfiguring the layout and vaulting the ceilings of the original 1980s two-storey structure, we introduced volume, light, and flow that dramatically enhance the home’s livability and architectural presence.”

Elevated Living was renovated for a retired couple who wanted to age in place and stay in the four-storey hillside home they’ve loved for many years. “We designed an exterior elevator that seamlessly integrates into the structure — so much so, it feels like it was part of the original design,” said Huguet.

For the full list of winners, visit havan.ca .

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

902 — 1155 Seymour St., Vancouver

Type: One-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment

Size: 574 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $623,000

Listed for: $629,000

Sold for: $617,500

Sold on: Jan. 17

Days on market in this listing: 39

Listing agent: Angel Garcia PREC at Royal LePage Sussex

Buyers agent: Jennifer Ricci PREC at Macdonald Realty

The big sell: The two Brava towers occupy a prime position in downtown Vancouver with views across Emery Barnes Park. For film lovers, the sister buildings are separated by the Vancouver International Film Festival Centre but also share a plethora of amenities including an outdoor swimming pool, gym, steam room, hot tub, billiards room, children’s play area, social lounge, and guest suites. This particular unit resides in Tower B, enjoying a corner position and a covered balcony. Inside, it has an open-concept layout with a modern kitchen with breakfast bar seating at the peninsula, flat-panelled cabinetry, and directional lighting overhead. There are floor-to-ceiling windows in both the living area and the bedroom, an electric fireplace, insuite laundry, and a den that could accommodate a home office. The suite comes with parking and a storage locker, and a monthly maintenance fee of $399.88.

4715 Lancelot Crt., Richmond

Type: Four-bedroom, three-bathroom detached

Size: 2,891 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,913,000

Listed for: $2,088,000

Sold for: $1,980,000

Sold on: Dec. 9

Days on market in this listing: Three

Listing agent: Shafik Ladha PREC at ReMax Westcoast

Buyers agent: Alva Dong at Sutton Group — 1st West Realty

The big sell: This spacious and functional family home resides on a cul-de-sac in West Richmond’s Boyd Park subdivision. Built in 1979, the property is within walking distance to transit, Seafair Shopping Centre, elementary and secondary schools, and a community centre. It has a multi-level layout over three floors and a split-level entry. There are four generously-sized bedrooms (all on the top level), updated bathrooms, an open-plan kitchen and dining room, and a 21-foot-long living room with gleaming engineered hardwood floors. The lower level has an office/fifth bedroom, and a sizable family room complete with a brick-surround fireplace, a television niche, and built-in display shelving. Additional upgrades include a gas fireplace, double-glazed windows, fresh paintwork, and a patio awning, and the rear yard is fully fenced and contains a shed for tools and bikes.

13 — 1248 Holtby St., Coquitlam

Type: Three-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse

Size: 1,775 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,145,000

Listed for: $1,249,000

Sold for: $1,249,000

Sold on: Feb. 19

Days on market in this listing: Four

Listing agent: Alisa Donnelly PREC at Keller Williams Ocean Realty

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

The big sell: This three-bedroom townhouse sold for bang on the money in just four days. It forms part of Tatton at Burke Mountain, a collection of Georgian-inspired parkside rowhomes and single-family residences that were developed by Mosaic Homes in 2009. This particular townhouse has an end-unit position at the base of the mountain with a wraparound garden and nine-foot-high ceilings that flood the home with natural light. The interior was renovated last year and features a well-equipped kitchen with quartz counters, soft-close cabinets, a built-in coffee bar, updated stainless-steel appliances, and new flooring throughout. The three bedrooms are all located upstairs served by a family bathroom and a primary ensuite, and the ground floor has a den/office and a full bathroom. Extra highlights include heated floors, an electric vehicle outlet, smart home upgrades, and a two-car garage plus a driveway. The unit’s monthly maintenance fee is $409.65.

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.

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At first glance, Vancouver retailers The Storehouse and Dream Collective look like stylish boutiques, brimming with curated candles, cards, ceramics and more. They are this, and also part of a transformative retail revolution that’s helping fuel Vancouver’s maker movement.

Rather than operating as traditional retailers, these shops rent out shelf space to local artisans. The result is a retail model that’s equal parts business incubator and community hub for small-batch brands.

Shelf space as a springboard

The Storehouse (which has locations on Main Street, in Vancouver, and a new location in downtown Cloverdale) has become more than just a retail space. It’s a launch pad for local small-business owners, says founder Cheryl Ward, who started selling vintage home goods in 2020 on Instagram, Etsy and at markets.

Ward offers shelf rentals to makers who might otherwise struggle to find consistent retail exposure.

“They gain regular income, brand awareness and confidence in scaling their business. We’ve had vendors grow from hobbyists to full-time entrepreneurs, and it’s inspiring to be a part of that journey,” she says.

Emily Shi, founder of Dream Collective, on Robson Street, downtown Vancouver, echoes this sentiment.

“We provide a practical, accessible platform for talented Dream Creators to showcase their work directly to customers. It’s not just a retail space — it’s a creative, collaborative community,” she says.

New ways to shop

More than a business model, shelf rental retail is also reshaping how customers shop.

Ward says their customers are craving more meaning and connections behind their purchases.

“This model brings the human element back into retail,” says Shi. “Customers know their purchases are directly supporting someone in their community, and they love discovering new products that aren’t mass-produced. It’s changing the mindset from convenience-based shopping to values-based shopping, supporting local, handmade, and sustainable goods.”

There’s something beautiful about knowing your purchase is supporting someone in your community. “People now care about where their products come from, who made them, and what the story is behind them,” she says.

Joyful creations

One example of a maker benefiting from this shelf rental model is Lise Boullard, a former lifestyle editor turned maker of cards, candles and soaps. Her brand JoiebyLise , stocked in Dream Collective and The Storehouse, offers bilingual greeting cards inspired by her French heritage, along with hand-poured soy candles and soaps.

“Each candle tells a story. Lighting one is a way to escape daily life for a moment,” says Boullard.

The social side of shelf rental

Beyond sales, both The Storehouse and Dream Collective invest deeply in fostering creative community.

“ We’re intentional about building community, not just selling products. From being a part of community events, hosting vendor spotlight pop-ups, to collaborating on in-store promotions, we make sure our vendors feel part of something bigger,” says Ward.

Dream Collective offers free pop-ups and workshops to its vendors, encouraging direct engagement with customers and opportunities for collaboration.

“It’s a space where everyone supports each other, celebrates each other’s wins and grows together,” says Shi.

Post-pandemic momentum

This resurgence in local, small-scale creativity didn’t emerge from a vacuum. Post-pandemic, there’s been a huge shift toward supporting small, local businesses, says Ward.

“These shifts have fuelled growth not only for The Storehouse but for the entire makers’ movement. We’re seeing a return to craftsmanship and authenticity and it’s exciting to be at the forefront of that,” she says.

Social media has accelerated this shift, allowing makers — and the retailers selling their wares — more visibility, says Shi: “Post-pandemic, people are more intentional with their purchases. They want to support small businesses and find deeper meaning in the things they buy. Our model bridges the online and offline experience, giving customers both convenience and connection.”

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Could a prefab housing technology help solve the housing crisis?

That’s the question posed by Urbanarium in its latest ideas competition, Decoding Timber Towers . A Vancouver-based organization of professional city planners and architects, Urbanarium is offering $50,000 in cash prizes to designers, builders, and developers for solutions to overcome challenges in replacing concrete residential and mixed-used buildings with low carbon buildings made with mass timber.

Often found in prefab housing, mass timber consists of layers of lumber glued together to create strong and durable building components. The engineered wood material can be used to construct taller wood buildings than traditional stick-frame construction. In 2024, the province updated its building code to permit mass timber construction to be built up to 18 storeys tall, a significant increase from the previous 12 storey limit.

In recent years, mass timber has grown in popularity around the world, from France to Sweden. As a low-carbon material that is also stronger than regular lumber, use of the material opens up many more sustainable opportunities for future generations. The delivery of large-scale low-carbon buildings has the potential to address climate change and housing affordability challenges. In addition to being a high-quality and environmentally friendly resource, it is well-suited for prefabrication, which means more efficient construction.

However, adopting a mass timber construction model faces several obstacles. It’s considered an expensive alternative to concrete and steel as the forest industry catches up to demand. Other challenges include unfamiliarity with the resource, the requirement for specialized consultants, insurance coverage, and the design issue of creating all-wood balconies that have a high potential for trapped moisture and rot.

There is one mass timber highrise in Vancouver: Brock Commons, known as the Tallwood House at the University of British Columbia. Other projects in development or under construction include the 25-storey residential structure at Main and 5th Street (to be completed in 2027) and the Main and Cordova rental building (to be completed in 2026) that will deliver 120 affordable homes for mixed-income families on the Downtown Eastside.

The winning proposals for Decoding Timber Towers will address affordability and sustainability concerns while offering a high standard of comfort, sociability and connection to land.

Prizes include $15,000 for first place, $10,000 for second, $5,000 for third and $2,000 each for five honourable mentions as well as a $10,000 Digital Award for innovative use of digital technologies and processes. In addition, winners will see their work showcased in a publication, on various websites, in the popular About Here video series by Uytae Lee, and in the upcoming international conference, Woodrise 2025 in Vancouver from Sept. 22 to 25.

This is Urbanarium’s fourth competition to encourage dialogue and design investigations to promote housing affordability and address the effects of climate change. Past competitions include Missing Middle, Mixing Middle and Decoding Density.

Decoding Timber Towers is accepting registrations from now until May 2. Submissions are due Aug. 25, and winners will be announced at an awards show on Sept. 15. For more information, visit urbanarium.org

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Julie and Jonathan Becker had a plan: to buy a home and renovate.

“Originally we didn’t want to build,” Jonathan says. “It’s long, complicated and potentially expensive.”

But they just couldn’t find the right one. There was one open house after another, and nothing felt quite right.

Meanwhile, Julie had been bookmarking inspirational photos, and one name kept coming up: Vancouver designer Sophie Burke . “I remember showing Jonathan my saved Instagram photos and saying, we could live in a home like this, where we love everything about it,” Julie recalls.

Finding the perfect piece of property, directly across from Vancouver’s vibrant Douglas Park, pushed them over the edge. They could picture a life here—long afternoons at the park with their kids, windows looking out to green-flanked views all the way to the North Shore mountains.

The sale closed two months into the Covid-19 pandemic, right after they’d had their first child, and Burke came on board shortly after.

“What made Sophie stand out is that she was very detail oriented,” Jonathan says. “In our first meeting, she asked: ‘are you right-handed or left-handed?’ Also: ‘do you drink coffee? Do you have cats? How tall are you?’

“I had the sense that she was living in my head.”

Coming from an Olympic Village condo, the couple told Burke they were craving a cosy feel for their new interiors, with room to entertain.

“Condos are very vanilla and cookie-cutter … we were seeking a modern esthetic with a degree of warmth and homeyness that would be inviting for our family and community,” Jonathan says.

Burke and her team got to work shaping the spaces, collaborating with Vancouver architect Scott Posno, who had already designed much of the exterior.

The home’s open-plan main floor deftly blends Burke’s modern-yet-textured trademark style with the couple’s love of mid-century modern. An iconic mid-century Ole Wanscher Colonial chair, for instance, feels right at home among locally sourced pieces—like Smokestack stools from B.C.-based furniture-maker Barter Design , and a hefty wood coffee table by Abbotsford’s Lock & Mortice .

“I like an eclectic mix in a living room, so it doesn’t look like a set of furniture that you bought all in one place; it looks a little bit more collected,” Burke says. Tactile elements, such as a fringed wool rug and decorative baskets, give the eye “lots of places to land,” she adds.

The couple didn’t shy away from colour, either. A blue-green fireplace wall with a kerf-cut slatted finish strikes a moody tone, while mimicking glimpses of the greenery outside. “It was nice that they were willing to be bold with a colour choice. So rather than just doing typical white walls everywhere, we used this colour in the living room to really define the space,” Burke says.

In the kitchen, a mix of white and oak cabinetry keeps things light. Burke divided the space to serve two distinct functions: one side for daily cooking and another for entertaining, with a bar, coffee station and custom-lit angled shelf to display wine.

Just off the kitchen is what Jonathan calls “probably the most functional and utilized space in the entire house,” a tiny, sun-suffused den. The 88-square-foot room often serves as a play space and craft area for the couple’s two young children. But an extended window bench piled with pillows tempts everyone to lounge. “Sometimes we’ll have our whole family over for dinner, and then I’ll look around and ask where is everybody? The living room is empty, and there are like, six to eight people crammed in that room.”

Upstairs, the primary suite is an airy refuge with vaulted ceilings, a bed layered with soft neutral textiles and a custom-made wardrobe inlaid with cane detailing.

The ensuite bath is “the most magical place,” says Julie. Carrera marble counters and floors complement a freestanding tub and an oversized walk-in shower, and a skylight filters in natural light throughout the day.

“I just love the way the light hits it at the end of the afternoon, before I go pick up the kids, or in the summer around dinnertime,” she says.

The basement is home to another family gathering space, a media room anchored by an oversized sectional. An inset shelf runs the length of a wall, elegantly disguising a mechanical bulkhead.

At the back entrance, Burke created a stylish mudroom, with blue-green slatted millwork that matches the accent wall upstairs, housing storage for coats, shoes and gear. An industrial-style sink mounted on the wall is key for post-park cleanup. “I would love to have that mudroom in my house,” Burke says.

It’s been nearly three years since the Beckers moved in, and the home hasn’t disappointed. “It’s practical. It’s beautiful,” Julie says. “It doesn’t always look like the pictures. There’s a lot more toys and often more mess. But it has wonderful, happy memories.”

Interior Design: Sophie Burke Design

Architecture: Scott Posno Design

Construction: Arix Homes

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

1044 Tobermory Way, Squamish

Type: Four-bedroom, three-bathroom detached

Size: 3,354 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,465,000

Listed for: $1,499,000

Sold for: $1,625,500

Sold on: Feb. 6

Days on market in this listing: 101

Listing agent: Holly Calderwood PREC at Royal LePage Sussex

Buyers agent: Nolan Rivers PREC at ReMax Sea to Sky Real Estate

The big sell: According to listing agent Holly Calderwood, this sale went through a couple of price adjustments before selling for around $125,000 over the asking price. What was on offer was a two-storey home in Squamish’s Garibaldi Highlands that offered postcard vistas of the surrounding Coast Mountains and forested greenbelt. The interior was renovated last year and finished in a contemporary style with soaring wood-clad ceilings set off by skylights and directional lighting, a modern kitchen with flat-panelled cabinets, integrated stainless-steel appliances, and an entertainment-sized island, and a wood stove that extends through both floors for added charm. Two bedrooms reside on the main floor and two below alongside recreation and flexible rooms, and a home office. There are multiple decks to choose from to relax and enjoy the view, while an attached double garage and landscaped gardens complete the picture.

408 — 22255 122 Ave., Maple Ridge

Type: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment

Size: 937 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $496,000

Listed for: $555,000

Sold for: $550,900

Sold on: Feb. 25

Days on market in this listing: Two

Listing agent: Shannon Drummond PREC at Royal LePage Elite West

Buyers agent: Jeremy McCarthy PREC at Stonehaus Realty Corp.

The big sell: It took just two days to sell this top-floor condo in Maple Ridge’s Magnolia Gate development in the city’s West Central neighbourhood. Built in 2007 on 122nd Avenue, the low-rise building has 62 units divided over its four levels and is set around a garden that features a gazebo. This particular home is also a corner suite, boasting unobstructed mountain views framed by its expansive picture windows. The interior was renovated in 2023 with modern vinyl floors, carpeted bedrooms, Shaker-style kitchen cabinets, stainless-steel appliances, an electric fireplace, and stylish light fixtures. There are two full-sized bathrooms, and a covered deck for al fresco entertainment. The home comes with a parking stall in the underground garage and additional parking options are available for purchase. Two pets are permitted (with no size restrictions), and the home’s monthly maintenance fee is $425.00.

206 — 683 East 27th Ave., Vancouver

Type: One-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment

Size: 689 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $721,000

Listed for: $769,900

Sold for: $762,000

Sold on: Jan. 16

Days on market in this listing: Six

Listing agent: Danny Chow PREC and Salina Kai PREC at Rennie & Associates Realty

Buyers agent: Michelle Rogers and Cal Pye at Babych Group Realty Vancouver

The big sell: This one-bedroom-plus-den home resides on the second floor of this four-storey apartment building in east Vancouver’s Fraser neighbourhood. Due to the downward-sloping gradient of that section of East 27th Avenue, the home has westerly views over the neighbouring properties and towards the North Shore Mountains, plus the interior is filled with natural light accentuated by nine-foot-high ceilings. Additional highlights include a sleek linear kitchen with Blomberg appliances, Caesarstone countertops, and a pantry, a semi-ensuite bathroom, a windowed den, a walk-in closet, and a 155-square-foot patio complete with custom seating, a live green privacy wall, and string lighting. For coffee lovers, JJ Bean is on the ground floor of the complex, and there are myriad other amenities nearby lining Fraser Street. The home comes with parking, a monthly maintenance fee of $596.77, and a strata that permits pets and rentals.

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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Earlier this year, Livingspace Interiors acquired Brougham Outdoor and Kerrisdale Lumber Home’s outdoor kitchen business. The local furniture retailer then combined them into Livingspace Outdoor.

“Brougham did very well with their outdoor furniture,” says Livingspace founder Ross Bonetti.

“When Mark Panther from Brougham decided to scale back and close his large store, he opened a dedicated outdoor store to retain staff and stay in the business. But a few months later, over lunch, he told me, ‘I don’t know why I did this—I really just want to retire, golf and go boating.’ Then he said, ‘Why don’t you take over the store under the Livingspace umbrella?’”

The opportunity was too good to pass up.

Bonetti, who opened Livingspace in 1988, took over Brougham Outdoor’s lease and rebranded it as Livingspace Outdoor.

Around the same time, the business owner heard that Kerrisdale Lumber Home was closing its outdoor kitchen retail store. “I thought, ‘Why don’t I put these two businesses together?’”

Livingspace now has its original 30,000-square-foot Interiors store and the 4,900-square-foot Livingspace Outdoor on Vancouver’s West Second Avenue, near the Olympic village.

The new old store carries furniture, lighting, umbrellas, outdoor kitchens, barbecues, pizza ovens, heating systems—and everything else to do with an outdoor space.

“We’ve always sold outdoor furniture,” Bonetti says. “Most of the Italian brands we sell do outdoor furniture. But we never entered into the outdoor kitchen business. This gave us the opportunity to expand our offerings.”

Outdoor kitchen and appliance brands include Wolf, Kalamazoo, Urban Bonfire and Hestan, Danver. Furniture brands include Gloster, Dedon and Tuuci.

Bonetti says he sees fewer trends in the style or type of furniture that Livingspace carries than in people’s intentions for the products.

“There’s this seamless transition between indoor and outdoor, and we’re seeing more and more of that, where people want a comfortable space outside. The outdoor kitchen is a big part of that. Where it used to be just a barbecue, now it’s a barbecue, pizza oven, fridge and sink—more of a whole kitchen. I also think heating is a big part of that so that you’re not just out there in the summer but in the fall and spring as well.”

Heating products include Bromic’s Eclipse Smart-Heat Portable, a sharply designed heater with a dimmable LED light unit that looks like a large, freestanding reading light.

In new condo builds, the Livingspace owner says he is seeing an increase in well-stocked common areas.

“Homeowners may not be allowed to have a barbecue on their balcony, but we’re doing kitchens and barbecues, as well as for outdoor furniture for home offices in these towers now.”

It might seem like a dicey time to be expanding a brick-and-mortar presence, but Livingspace Outdoor offers a one-stop shop for homeowners and professionals.

“Having something dedicated and focused, it’s easy to get the architects and designers to visit the store. We’re already seeing this with landscape architects. And we’re bringing more selection to the city.”

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