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

2 — 2735 Eton St., Vancouver

Type: Three-bedroom, four-bathroom half duplex

Size: 1,646 square feet

B.C. Assessment: N/A

Listed for: $1,699,000

Sold for: $1,675,000

Sold on: Aug. 20

Days on market in this listing: 13

Listing agent: Mark Hammer PREC at eXp Realty

Buyers agent: Navid Hakimi PREC at ReMax Masters Realty

The big sell: Pavarya Homes recently built this duplex property in Vancouver’s Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood with a Craftsman-inspired design that blends elegance with functionality. This particular unit forms the back half of the duplex and comprises more than 1,600 square feet of living space divided over three levels. The main floor is open plan with high ceilings above premium Fisher & Paykel appliances, quartz countertops and sleek two-tone cabinets in the kitchen, and a dining and living area that opens to the backyard via a bifold glass panel door. There are two bedrooms on the middle level — both ensuited — while the top floor bedroom has vaulted ceilings, a full ensuite bathroom, an eight-foot-long walk-in closet, and a covered balcony where far-reaching North Shore mountain views can be admired. Central air conditioning, a single garage with french doors that could be used as office space or a gym, and the 2-5-10 new home warranty are further highlights.

16 — 3535 Princeton Ave., Coquitlam

Type: Three-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse

Size: 1,640 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,090,000

Listed for: $1,158,000

Sold for: $1,125,000

Sold on: Aug. 6

Days on market in this listing: Five

Listing agent: Ryan Abdi and Paris Timouri PREC at eXp Realty

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

The big sell: This three-bedroom townhouse was snapped up in just five days thanks to a number of attributes most notably a rooftop oasis tailor-made for relaxation and entertaining that offers panoramic sunset and valley vistas as well as a gas barbecue hookup, a dedicated hot tub connection, power, and built-in storage. The home resides on Burke Mountain with many parks, trails, schools, transit, and other conveniences nearby. It was built in 2020 as part of the 3535 Princeton complex that comprises 27 strata townhouses with floor plans that accommodate three, four and five bedrooms. Inside this home there is central air conditioning, a Smart thermostat, keyless entry, California Closets, grey Shaker-style cabinetry, a kitchen island with soft accent lighting, and a side-by-side double garage with epoxy floors and an electric vehicle charger rough-in. The home’s monthly maintenance fee is $336.56, the strata accepts pets and rentals with restrictions, and there is a children’s playground within the development.

201 — 9153 Saturna Dr., Burnaby

Type: Two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment

Size: 860 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $439,000

Listed for: $419,000

Sold for: $408,000

Sold on: Sept. 1

Days on market in this listing: 40

Listing agent: Lia Lee at ReMax Lifestyles Realty (Langley)

Buyers agent: Stephen Morris at Oakwyn Realty

The big sell: The Mountain Wood development in Burnaby North is home to this two-bedroom corner unit that boasts two balconies with a treed outlook — one off the living room and the other off one of the bedrooms. Built in 1976 in the Simon Fraser Hills neighbourhood, residents are within walking distance to elementary and secondary schools, the future Cameron Community Centre, and Lougheed SkyTrain Station. In addition, the family-friendly complex has an outdoor swimming pool, a gym, and a playground. Two pets are permitted (with no size restriction) and rentals too. Inside this home there are updated kitchen cabinets and a bathroom vanity, a laundry room and insuite storage, a galley-style kitchen with white appliances, and a mix of tile flooring and carpet throughout the home. The unit comes with a parking stall and a monthly maintenance fee of $500.16.

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

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

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Jelson Padrón Sánchez had been looking for a place to buy for well over a year before he decided on Lexford.

“I took my time,” Sánchez said.

“I lived nearby, so I know the area very well. I saw the building, the developer, the construction, the whole process. I passed by every single day to and from work and just kept an eye on it.”

Located at the junction of Shaughnessy Street and Prairie Avenue, the 117-home, four-storey development is Polygon’s first apartment building in Port Coquitlam. The building’s West Coast Modern exterior features a striking combination of white, charcoal and black, accented by wood-look beams and brick detailing.

For Sánchez, a first-time homebuyer who had been renting a one-bedroom basement suite a few blocks away, buying a brand-new home wasn’t initially part of the plan.

“I was looking to buy something used, I would say, something between five and 15 years old.

“I went to some places, different apartments, but I was not happy with what I was looking at. I’m too picky, I’m too clean.

“My realtor told me, ‘Well, Jelson, I think to reach your standards, maybe it would be a good idea to have something new.’”

Lexford offers seven floor plans, ranging from studios to three-bedroom homes, some with flexible spaces. Interiors come in two colour schemes, Trail and River, and feature nine-foot ceilings, low-E windows, roller blinds and plush carpeting in bedrooms.

Contemporary kitchens feature engineered stone countertops and spacious islands, while bathrooms and ensuites have a spa-inspired esthetic. Most homes include a covered deck or ground-floor patio, and many offer mountain views. Heat-pump systems provide heating and air conditioning, while the building is constructed to BC Energy Step Code 3 standards.

Unlike many new developments, Lexford was completed before sales began.

“We thought it would be better to come to market with finished homes so that people could tour their options and touch, feel and see exactly what they’d be buying,” said senior VP of marketing Goldie Alam.

The approach allowed prospective buyers to check out the building’s amenities firsthand.

A welcoming lobby features double-height ceilings, comfortable seating and an electric fireplace. Motion-activated lighting brightens the space as residents enter, while a wall of parcel lockers keeps deliveries organized.

Also on the main floor, a spacious fitness studio features modern equipment and a dedicated yoga and stretching area. A communal lounge has a café-like ambience, with comfortable seating and space for residents to gather.

For Sánchez, who regularly works out, the fitness facilities were a particular attraction.

“My gym is about a 15-minute drive from here, so I’ll probably cancel my membership and use the gym in the building,” he said.

“The yoga room is impressive, too. It’s small but very cute, and nice enough for yoga or tai chi, for people who like that.”

The building also features a main-floor bicycle storage room and small study lounges on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors. Outdoor amenities include a children’s play area, lawn, picnic tables and space for a community garden.

Sánchez, who owns two bicycles, appreciates having somewhere to store them.

“It was something I was paying attention to when I was looking for a place. It’s important to have a place to store the bikes.”

He was also able to tour a suite with the same layout as the two-bedroom home he eventually purchased on the second floor.

“They sent me all of the floor plans, so I was able to look at different apartments, different units, and compare square footage, layout, position and price,” he said.

According to sales manager Sandra Bua, 27 homes sold in Lexford’s first month on the market following the Sept. 26 sales launch. Buyers have included downsizers, first-time purchasers, young families, couples and singles, with almost all coming from the Tri-Cities.

The location offers convenient access to shopping, restaurants and recreation. Coquitlam Centre is a short walk away, as are neighbourhood eateries, while the Coquitlam River and its network of trails are just a block from the building. A multi-use bike path is located off the front of the building.

For Sánchez, who was born in Cuba and has lived in Maple Ridge, east Vancouver and Port Moody, the proximity to nature is a major reason he has made Port Coquitlam his home.

“I like to be close to the forest and the mountains and the river and the trails,” he said.

“It’s perfect because I run all around the river. I like to run, so some afternoons, if the weather is good, I just step out, and I’m able to run all around the PoCo Trail.”

His new apartment may not have mountain views, but its south-facing windows overlook trees, and the additional bedroom will eventually serve as his home office.

For now, it’s accommodating his parents, who travelled from Cuba to help him settle into his first home.

“They came to help me with the move and get organized here and be part of the moment and the experience of moving to a new place — my first home,” he said.

“I’m just trying to include them in my journey, in my life.”

Project: Lexford

Project address: 2178 Prairie Ave., Port Coquitlam, B.C.

Developer: Polygon

Architect: Engage Architecture

Interior designer: Polygon Interior Design Limited

Project size: 117 homes

Price: Starting from $499,900

Number of bedrooms: Studio, one, two and three bedrooms

Construction: Move-in ready

Sales centre: 2178 Prairie Avenue, Port Coquitlam

Centre hours: Noon to 5 p.m. daily, except Fridays

Sales phone: 604-820-1927

Website:polyhomes.com/community/lexford

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Fancy a Christmas-themed room as it might be imagined by filmmaker Wes Anderson? The holiday season is not only a chance to support local crafts folks but also an opportunity to see some innovative and perhaps extravagant decor. Here are five upcoming events to satisfy your craving for artisanal crafts, mulled wine, gingerbread, and tinsel.

Homes for the Holidays

Top Vancouver designers transform a historic UBC mansion into a showcase of festive decor.

When: Nov. 21 and 22
Where: Cecil Green Park House, 6251 Cecil Green Park Rd., Vancouver
Tickets & info: $65 (GA) at homesfortheholidays.ca

Award-winning interior designers showcase holiday decorating ideas at UBC’s Cecil Green Park House. One concept sounds particularly intriguing: for A Rather Grand Holiday, Stephanie Brown takes cues from the films of Wes Anderson. Expect symmetrical arrangements, mid-century furniture and an unconventional palette. Other designers include Jamie Banfield, Dexter Dolores, and Phyllis Lui. Proceeds support YWCA BC’s Housing Action Fund.

Hycroft for the Holidays

Sustainable fashions, handmade jewelry and gourmet treats are among the offerings at this historic Vancouver mansion’s holiday market.

When: Nov. 26 to 29
Where: 1489 McRae Ave., Vancouver
Tickets & info: From $22.73 at uwcvancouver.ca

More than 40 local artisans take over the Edwardian manse, with strong showings of jewelry makers, textile artists and gourmet-food vendors. Among the more distinctive offerings are recycled cashmere from Winterluxe, upcycled fashions from Endure Upcycled Designs and traditional printing from Porchlight Press Letterpress. Foodies can browse everything from Bowen Island Herb Salts and Salt Spring Artisan Vinegar to locally produced wine, spirits and confectionery. Jazz musicians Gabriel Mark Hasselbach and Tom Arntzen, violinist Sam Ching and the Noel Carolling Trio perform. Proceeds support the preservation of the historic mansion and its gardens. Six non-profit organizations will also have booths at the market.

Christmas in the Greenhouse at Southlands Nursery

Artisanal homeware, gourmet treats and freshly cut Christmas trees bring holiday cheer to this Southlands nursery.

When: Nov. 28 and 29 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: The Greenhouse at Southlands Nursery, 6550 Balaclava St., Vancouver
Info:southlandsnursery.com

This market features 20 vendors selling artisanal homeware, particularly ceramics, florals and decorative objects. Vancouver ceramic artist Janaki Larsen creates minimalist, hand-thrown pottery, including bowls, plates and vases. Rosie Daykin, founder of Vancouver’s Butter Baked Goods, has written several bestselling cookbooks. Her latest, The Side Gardener, combines gardening advice with vegetable-forward recipes. Quince Fine Florals is an established Vancouver florist specializes in seasonal, botanically inspired arrangements. Merci Boulangerie will be on site selling hot apple cider, sandwiches and baked goods. Entry is free, and in addition to the holiday market the nursery will also be brimming with natural holiday decor, including their selection of freshly cut Christmas trees.

Shipyards Christmas Market

European-style holiday festivities meet international street food, artisan shopping and waterfront skating at this North Vancouver Christmas market.

When: Nov. 27 to Dec. 24
Where: Shipbuilder’s Square, 19 Wallace Mews, North Vancouver
Info:shipyardschristmasmarket.com

The annual free European-style Christmas market on the North Vancouver waterfront comes complete with wooden chalets, German bratwurst grilled over an open flame, Polish perogies, French raclette, Dutch mini pancakes, Portuguese egg tarts and Italian pasta tossed in a giant Parmesan wheel. Wash it all down with mulled wine, spiked apple cider, Irish coffee or Christmas beer brewed specially for the market. Meanwhile, over 100 artisans will be selling everything from handmade ornaments and jewelry to ceramics, candles, preserves and woodcraft. New this year is L’Orangerie Noël, an upscale shopping experience inside the historic Pipe Shop featuring 12 artisan boutiques, an art gallery and a champagne bar serving Veuve Clicquot, espresso martinis and Prosecco cocktails. Other attractions include free skating, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and live entertainment.

Heritage New Westminster Homes for the Holidays

Step inside five festively decorated private homes and a historic museum on this holiday tour celebrating New Westminster’s architectural heritage.

When: Dec. 6 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Various locations
Tickets & info: $35 at newwestheritage.org

A Victorian estate in Queen’s Park is among five homes in New West opening their doors to visitors. The homeowners themselves have decorated the homes themselves although Homes for the Holidays sponsor Lori Fralic of Fralic Real Estate will lead a team to decorate two properties, Rostrevor and the Margaret E. Stewart House, drawing on their respective Victorian and cottage styles. Founded by the Queen’s Park Healthcare Volunteers Society, Homes for the Holidays is being carried on by Heritage New West. Proceeds will support Heritage New West’s community programs and heritage preservation initiatives.

Imagine arriving for a medical appointment and finding a room that looks more like a beautiful home than a clinic. Instead of rows of plastic chairs or harsh fluorescent lighting, there’s a comfortable sofa, a place to make tea, interesting artwork and warm, inviting colours.

These are some of the details being explored by two B.C. design studios, each approaching health care with ideas borrowed from residential interiors and hospitality.

At Vancouver’s Everwell wellness clinic, Jessica MacDonald and Kate Snyder, co-founders and co-creative directors of Studio Roslyn, have created a richly layered interior inspired by nature, traditional healing practices and the comforts of home.

In Squamish, Josianne Berube, partner and registered interior designer at STARK Architecture & Interiors, has helped create a different esthetic at Creekside Health, using colour, natural maple, carefully placed lighting and acoustics to make a medical visit feel less institutional.

Small freedoms

One of the more interesting ideas behind both projects is creating health care environments that give patients back a little control.

Consider the ordinary waiting room. Chairs are arranged in rows, often facing one direction. There’s little choice about where to sit or how to spend the time.

At Creekside Health, built-in terracotta banquettes follow the windows. Low yellow tables provide space for children, while a tea and water station allows patients to help themselves.

“Illness removes choice. You are told when to arrive, where to wait and when it is your turn. A space can’t change that, but it can return some control in the moments in between, and this is where STARK’s residential thinking made the greatest difference,” says Berube.

At Everwell, patients can browse wellness products or settle into the reception area before an appointment. In the IV treatment rooms, lounge chairs have pillows that patients can arrange themselves.

“Having those choices, even small ones, can help people feel more at ease,” says MacDonald.

Good from all angles

Something a lot of people never consider is how different a room looks when you’re viewing it from a bed.

The practitioner generally stands, while the patient may be lying down, vulnerable or partially undressed. Overhead lighting, equipment and the way a room is arranged can reinforce this uncomfortable imbalance.

STARK considered this relationship at Creekside, choosing gentle light that falls down the walls rather than directly onto patients. Blue cabinetry and subdued artwork offer something pleasant to look at.

Privacy also extends beyond the door. Acoustic detailing prevents conversations from travelling between rooms, allowing patients to discuss personal matters without wondering who might overhear.

At Everwell, the treatment rooms feature thick drapery, vintage artwork, wooden side tables and soft furniture. Even the walls incorporate unexpected finishes, including bronze paint, bobbin trim and smoked mirror.

Snyder says the challenge is to make these environments welcoming without sacrificing their medical function.

“It’s about finding a balance between comfort and confidence in the care being provided,” she says.

Forgotten spaces

A clinic’s hallways, bathrooms and even its exit deserve as much consideration as its treatment rooms.

At Everwell, a dark patterned carpet runs along the central hallway and continues up the end wall, meeting a brown-painted ceiling. The effect is enveloping, rather than the exposed, brightly lit corridor associated with conventional medical buildings.

At Creekside, the accessible washroom receives the same attention as a boutique hotel bathroom, with terracotta and light blue finishes.

Someone leaving a difficult medical appointment may need a moment to collect themselves before returning to the outside world.

Creekside’s design offers a separate bench near reception, away from the main waiting area, where patients can pause or arrange a followup appointment. Glass block at the reception desk provides a degree of discretion.

These practical considerations extend to staff, too. Creekside’s treatment rooms have sinks and integrated cabinetry to keep supplies close, while a dedicated staff room provides somewhere to eat and take a break.

Good design needn’t cost a fortune

Both studios challenge the assumption that welcoming health care environments require lavish budgets.

At Everwell, forest green, deep brown and limewash finishes distinguish different areas and help visitors navigate the open-plan clinic.

“Paint, for example, can be a relatively economical way to create warmth and define different areas within a space,” says MacDonald.

At Creekside, flexible treatment rooms accommodate family medicine, counselling, acupuncture and massage within approximately 2,130 square feet. Lighting is concentrated where it’s needed rather than uniformly distributed.

The designers also question whether the comforts associated with private clinics should remain largely absent from public health care.

“I don’t think a welcoming, thoughtfully designed health care environment should be considered a luxury. Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and respected in spaces where they’re receiving care,” says MacDonald.

“The most meaningful improvements come from decisions rather than spending. Colour costs no more than white. A thoughtful plan costs no more than a less considered one. Placing light where it is needed, rather than simply adding more of it, often costs less,” says Berube.

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Dear Tony:

Our strata of 48 units has permitted 10 heat pump installations since 2018. We have an alteration agreement with each unit, but it did not address the issue of maintenance and repair and how to manage issues if an owner failed to meet their obligations.

Now we have one system that is very noisy and several adjacent owners are complaining. We have asked the owner to hire someone to inspect and maintain the unit and they have not responded.

Beyond stepping in and paying for the service call, are there other options? Perhaps an additional bylaw that addresses all the heat pumps?

Thanks for all your columns.

— Melissa E.

Dear Melissa:

With the growing demand, rebates and government programs for heat pumps, there also comes a significant rise in confusion and conflicts over the management of alterations. Strata corporations can’t simply grant permission for heat pump installations and then remove themselves from the implications. This is an excellent opportunity for strata corporations to get their bylaws and alteration agreements set up to address present conditions of the alteration and installation and future liabilities, such as responsibility to maintain and repair, whose insurance covers the systems, what happens if a strata lot sells and the consequences if an owner fails to maintain and repair a heat pump.

Strata corporations have two options for the future maintenance repair. They may leave the responsibility with each owner to manage their individual heat pumps, or a strata corporation may adopt a types bylaw where the strata corporation takes responsibility for annual maintenance and inspections, while the annual operating cost is allocated to only those units with heat pumps. Either option is viable with the appropriate bylaws and agreements in place.

Historic practice has taught us that owners generally do not maintain their equipment. Your experience has validated the assumption. If a strata corporation leaves the obligation of maintenance and repair to owners, that requirement should be clearly set out as part of the bylaws and the alteration agreement. They should also include consequences, for example: “In the event an owner does not maintain a heat pump system resulting in failure, nuisance or damages to common property or neighbouring units, the strata corporation is authorized, at the cost of the owner, to access the unit and perform the necessary service requirements.”

If there is a types bylaw, it must identify only the maintenance and inspection activities required as part of the annual service, with the associated costs allocated to the applicable units under the types bylaw. In addition, the bylaw and the agreement must clearly specify who is responsible for any repairs or damage associated with the heat pump.

Alteration agreements are contracts between a strata corporation and owners. A formatted agreement that applies equally to all owners is the best option to avoid the pitfalls.

Tony Gioventu is executive director of the Condominium Home Owners Association. Email tony@choa.bc.ca.

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Forget perfectly matched ornaments and traditional red-and-green colour schemes. This Christmas, Vancouver’s interior designers are embracing unexpected colours, nostalgic treasures and some festive whimsy.

From chartreuse and hot pink to vintage decorations and handmade paper Christmas trees, this year’s Homes for the Holidays event invites visitors to rethink festive decorating.

Taking place Nov. 21 and 22 at Vancouver’s historic Cecil Green Park House, the annual fundraiser brings together local designers who transform individual rooms into their own interpretations of Christmas, all in support of YWCA BC’s Housing Action Fund.

For Trish Knight, interior designer at Knight Varga and chair of Homes for the Holidays, the magic is in seeing how differently each designer approaches the season.

“One of my favourite things about Homes for the Holidays is seeing how designers can walk into the same historic house and come away with completely different ideas about Christmas,” says Knight.

“We give them the creative freedom to interpret the holidays in their own way, and the results are always a wonderful mix of traditional, unexpected, elegant and sometimes a little whimsical!”

A colourful Christmas

This year, designer Phyllis Lui, who recently launched PippyLui Design Studio after many years with Kalu Interiors, is transforming the house’s Yorkeen Room into a colourful Christmas celebration she calls Merry & Bright.

Her inspiration came from an unlikely source: a friend’s clothing.

“I was drawn to the colours and the way they worked together, and it sparked an idea that I could translate into a festive interior. It is a reminder that inspiration can come from anywhere and sometimes the most unexpected places,” says Lui.

Working with the room’s existing butter-yellow walls, Lui is using chartreuse yellow, Kelly green and fuchsia for a bright, playful alternative to traditional holiday colours.

Walnut furniture from Portside Interiors grounds the vibrant palette, while custom pillows, floral arrangements from The Flower Factory and a playful sheep sculpture add warmth and personality. A custom artwork by local artist Dana Mooney will also be available through the event’s silent auction.

“For me, great design is about creating an emotion, not just a beautiful room. With ‘Merry & Bright,’ I wanted people to walk in and instantly feel a little happier!” says Lui.

Her approach reflects a broader trend Knight is seeing in holiday decorating, where adventurous colour combinations coexist with a renewed appreciation for family heirlooms and treasured ornaments collected over decades.

“Rich burgundies, chocolate browns, soft pinks and unexpected colour combinations are all making an appearance,” says Knight.

Among this year’s other installations, Stephanie Brown is creating A Rather Grand Holiday, inspired by the nostalgic, eccentric world of filmmaker Wes Anderson, with rich colours, symmetry and vintage details.

Bringing the magic home

Visitors don’t need a designer’s budget to recreate some of these looks.

Lui suggests starting with a few unexpected ribbons, cushions, ornaments or table linens to refresh a familiar Christmas scheme without a complete overhaul.

Handmade decorations are another inexpensive way to bring personality into a space. For her dining table, she’s creating small paper Christmas trees to use as place settings, a simple touch that families can recreate.

For both designers, however, the most meaningful decorations are often the least polished.

At home, Lui has two Christmas trees. One belongs to her children and is decorated with an enthusiastic collection of sentimental, mismatched ornaments, sometimes clustered together or facing the wrong direction.

The other is what she calls “Mom’s tree,” where she can indulge her love of a more carefully curated look.

“The imperfections are what make it so special,” she says of the children’s tree.

Knight takes a similar view of decorations collected over the years.

“Some of my favourite decorations are the ones that come out year after year, regardless of what’s fashionable. And honestly, if you’ve been collecting ornaments for 20 years, why would you suddenly want them all to match?” she says.

More than a beautiful home

Beyond the decorated rooms, visitors to Homes for the Holidays can explore the Terrace of Trees, shop Boutique Boulevard, browse the silent auction and enjoy live music.

New experiences for 2026 include Breakfast by Design, where VIP and VVIP guests can meet participating designers and hear about their creative process, private guided tours with former event chair Toula Favreau and a festive lounge where visitors can relax over a drink.

Knight, who joined the event committee in 2018, says it has become a cherished tradition for many Vancouver families and groups of friends.

Last year’s event raised $100,000 for YWCA BC, and organizers hope to build on that success this November.

For Knight, the connection between interior design and the cause is particularly meaningful.

“As an interior designer, I spend my working life creating homes for people. We put so much thought into making those spaces beautiful, comfortable and functional, but the most important thing a home provides is something much more fundamental: a sense of safety, security and belonging.”

The YWCA Housing Action Fund helps advance affordable housing projects for women and families, including single mothers and their children.

“We’re celebrating beautiful homes while helping more families experience the security of having one,” says Knight.

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When you buy a heritage home, you don’t become just an owner, you become a custodian for the time you own it, says Oakwyn Realty’s Lori Fralic, listing agent for New Westminster’s Rostrevor House, which is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. “Living in one of these houses is truly owning a piece of history,” she says.

Rostrevor, also known as the Charles Murray House after the original owner, was designed in 1890 by local architects Samuel Maclure and Charles H. Clow and built for $5,000 by contractor Robert Brown Bell. Streetcar service from the Queen’s Park neighbourhood to downtown New Westminster had just been completed, which prompted construction of other grand Victorian homes in the area.

The two-and-a-half storey wood-frame Queen Anne revival-style mansion was renamed Rostrevor by its next buyer, in 1901, lumberman Walter R. Gilley, whose family owned it until 1961. According to the listing on Historic Places , the home was constructed with asymmetrical massing, a variety of cladding — including fish-scale shingles — lapped wood siding, raised red tuck pointed granite foundation, multi-pitched rooflines, projecting semi-octagonal bays, tall corbelled red-brick chimneys, a two-storey stacked front veranda, a third-floor balcony with lathe-turned columns, and the original double-leaf wooden front door with multi-paned glass insets.

The next buyer drastically altered the home to convert it into six apartments. “Old homes of this size were often converted to apartments or rooming houses,” says Fralic. “Walls were put up and pocket doors were walled over. It was not uncommon for high ceilings to be dropped for heat conservation, fireplaces and even stained-glass windows to be boarded over.”

Successive owners worked to restore the house to its original condition by removing the stucco, reconstructing the roof and chimneys, restoring period features including scalloped shingles, Tudor half-timbering, veranda posts, extensive interior mouldings and uncovering cedar pocket doors that had been covered in drywall.

What’s inside

Fortunately, the rare Bloomfield glass windows in Rostrevor, which occupies a 13,000-square-foot corner of St. George and 4th Streets, have been preserved, as have the oak and walnut mantels over the four fireplaces, maple staircase, and two Juliet balconies — a symbol of elegance and refinement typical of the romantic character of the era’s architecture — which had been enclosed as part of the apartments conversion.

During restoration to convert it back to a single-family residence, upgrades included a new kitchen and reconfiguration of the dining and family spaces. Further mechanical upgrades and major roof replacement have taken place over the last few years.

“The kitchen is spacious but not an area of ‘fine detail’,” says Fralic. “It’s probably one area that the next custodian will make some modification to. What makes this space so wonderful is the size, abundance of natural light, French doors that lead to the back patio and the fact that it flows seamlessly to the adjoining family room.”

A staircase off the kitchen connects to the second level, and a third set of stairs leads to the top level, accessed through what’s been called a “hidden” or “secret” door off one of the hallway’s series of cedar panels.

The nearly 6,000 square foot home features six bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, 10-foot ceilings on the main floor, over nine-foot ceilings on the second level, and 14-and-a-half-foot vaulted ceilings on the top level.

Original fir flooring is throughout and the original doors are a mix of fir, cedar and maple. An owl motif carved into one of the fireplaces is also an original detail.

Lighting is a mix of period fixtures and reproductions.

The primary bedroom comprises two large rooms, including a sitting room with fireplace, and has its own ensuite with claw foot soaker tub and separate shower.

Fralic says the most unique bathroom in the home is the half bath on the main level, which features an old gravity-fed wooden water tank on the wall, common in the Victorian era but no longer in use. The corner sink with vintage widespread faucet is also original.

A modern three-car garage that can be opened with a smartphone now occupies the space where once stood a coach house for horses and carriages.

“This (house is in) a very niche market that sometimes people might not know they love until they know it’s available,” says Fralic, who sponsors the annual Heritage New West Homes for the Holidays Tour , on Dec. 6, during which the Rostrevor will be the marquee attraction.

“These homes have storied pasts and they’re beautiful but they’re also livable homes, and you can celebrate and preserve the heritage while adding modern touches. They don’t need to be torn down; they can live on and adapt to the way we live today.”

She says this house would appeal to someone who appreciates history, architectural character and the opportunity to own a piece of history. “Someone who wants to be a custodian of Rostrevor before passing it on to the next.”

In the neighbourhood

Queen’s Park itself, three minutes’ drive or a 15-minute walk away, is, unsurprisingly, the main attraction of the Queen’s Park neighbourhood, one of the only heritage conservation areas in the province.

There are also many elementary and secondary schools nearby and Douglas College is a three-minute drive or 11-minute walk away.

Front Street in the historic downtown, with its pedestrian-friendly brick-paved waterfront walkway known as Front Street Mews, features an abundance of shops and eateries as well as its popular Friday night summer market, a four-minute drive or 13-minute walk away.

There are plenty more restaurants and shops along nearby 6th Street, as well as at Royal City Mall, a five-minute drive away.

Stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge across the Fraser River into Surrey is five minutes by car.

Location:403 St. George Street, New Westminster

Listed for: $3,100,000

Year built: 1890

Type: Six bedrooms, four bathrooms

Size: 5,946 square feet

Realtor: Listed by Lori Fralic , PREC, Oakwyn Realty, Vancouver

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I’ve never seen so much confusion over fall pruning, especially when AI and social media contribute so much nowadays.

Although gardening is an art with more than one right answer, when it comes to pruning, common sense is the best approach.

We prune our trees and shrubs to improve their health, increase productivity in terms of fruiting and flowering, and to maintain a size and shape that conforms to our landscapes . The most important issue when it comes to pruning is the timing.

By far the majority of pruning takes place when deciduous trees and shrubs lose their foliage, making it easier to observe branch structure and any disease, dieback or pest issues. Depending on the climatic zone where you live, most pruning can be done from late November until the end of February, when most new growth begins again.

One of my greatest concerns with flowering shrubs is, after a full season of developing buds, pruning at the wrong time will destroy the important colour you expect in your garden next spring. I hear this a lot from strata and condo owners whose landscape maintenance firms, working on a tight budget, prune everything at the same time once a year, even those plants loaded with buds for a spring show.

This is especially true for the beautiful Mophead or macrophylla hydrangeas. If they are pruned any time after the end of July, all the next year’s buds are cut off and the only blooms you’ll have are a few from lower buds that escaped the pruning shears. When folks tell me their Mophead or Lacecap hydrangeas never bloom, it’s simply because they are pruned at the wrong time. It’s important to understand they bloom on older stems. Since the buds develop in late summer, they must not be pruned until after blooming in midsummer.

Fortunately, hydrangea breeders have developed many new varieties that are shorter so seldom need to be pruned. In addition, they bloom on both the old stems and again on the new growth, to ensure you get to enjoy hydrangea blossoms far longer in the summer and on more compact plants.

The other hydrangeas, like the beautiful paniculata grandifloras, with their multicolored cone-shaped blossoms, the pure white arborescens, like Prover Winners’ Invincibelle series, and the quercifolias, or oak-leaf varieties all bloom on new growth the following spring. They can be tidied up now with a light pruning and an even harder cut back in the spring, keeping them more compact and producing more flowers.

All our winter and early spring flowering shrubs have already set their buds by now in preparation for a beautiful display, so no pruning now please. The best time to prune this group is in spring once the flowers are finished and when the new growth begins. This timing creates a more compact plant while the new spring growth has enough time to develop buds for next year’s blossoms.

Winter blooming honeysuckle, lonicera fragrantissima, Chinese Witch Hazels (hamamelis) and the red flowering currant, ribes sanguineum King Edward, are just a few examples. Later midseason flowering shrubs like spireas, weigelas, and Rose of Sharon, or hibiscus syriacus, all bloom on new growth and can be pruned this fall to keep them more compact and still allow them to bloom nicely in midsummer.

If you are not sure when your flowering shrubs bloom, simply leave them alone and observe when they flower to determine when you should prune them.

Roses are another concern in terms of proper pruning. Once the leaves are off, traditional floribundas, hybrid teas, and grandifloras, as well as shrub roses should be tidied up only, by pruning them back to about 18-24” (45-60cm.). By doing so, the plants are less susceptible to wind damage. Save the harder pruning for springtime, when the forsythia blooms. If you’re in colder areas, like Zone 5 or 6, you should also cover the bud union at the bottom of the rose with about 12-14” (30-35 cm) of bark mulch to protect them from severe frost. Even though we are supposed to experience a significant El Niño winter, I would never take a chance and not protect them. Climbing roses and ramblers should have four or five of their nicest branches spread out on a fence or trellis and have all the others cut back. I would mulch the bottoms as well for protection.

Ornamental flowering trees like cherries, plums, and crabapples can also be pruned once the leaves are off. At this time of year, you can see the buds for next year’s flowers and prune accordingly. It is especially important to maintain the unique shape of each tree as you prune to keep it more compact and leave as many buds as possible for the best spring display.

Shade trees can also be pruned at this time of year once the foliage is off. They are incredibly important to our environment in terms of cooling, collecting pollution, and providing homes for wildlife. Prune to maintain their shape, to clean out dead wood and build greater strength to withstand windstorms. They might also need some organic matter around their drip lines, as well as the application of a slow-release nutrient. If we have a dry fall, make sure they get adequate water, to help them recover from our summer drought and to help them through drying winter conditions.

Most evergreens can be pruned year-round, just not during periods of extreme heat or cold. Hedging cedars in particular, can be slimmed up to prevent snow from weighing down their branches and destroying their shape. Spreading junipers, cypress, and yews can also be pruned this time of year to keep their shape. The exceptions to evergreen pruning any time are pine, fir and spruce trees. They are best done in late May, when the pine candles and fir and spruce buds begin to open.

Flowering broad-leafed plants like rhododendrons, azaleas, and camellias are best pruned in spring when they have just finished blooming and the new growth begins.

Hedging broad-leafed plants like laurels, photinias, and euonymus can also be done this time of year, shaping them to better tolerate snow load and wind.

This is just a brief outline of normal pruning practices. It’s a major job with taller or overgrown plants and there are great arborists and experienced landscape professionals who can offer a quote to help with your specific pruning needs.

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Although they were both born and raised in Ontario, HGTV power couple Sarah and Bryan Baeumler have a special place in their hearts for Canada’s West Coast. It is, after all, where they spent the early days of their relationship.

“British Columbia is absolutely incredible,” says Bryan, who moved to Vancouver in 1995 after graduating from Western University. He lived there for six years before returning to Ontario to open a new office. “That’s when I bumped into Sarah, and I told her, “Look, don’t get too attached to me. I’m moving back to Vancouver as soon as I can.”

Sarah, however, had other plans and called Bryan the next day to tell him she was coming with him.

It’s no surprise, then, that the Baeumlers were thrilled when they found out, all these years later, their new show would bring them back out west for an entire summer.

The show in question? Home Town Takeover Canada, a Canadian spinoff of the U.S. series hosted by fellow HGTV couple Ben and Erin Napier. It follows the reno experts as they transform small towns through community-wide renovations.

The inaugural Canadian season takes the Baeumlers to Port Alberni, a city located on Vancouver Island that, despite its natural beauty, was once dubbed the worst city to live in Canada .

“Port Alberni has had some tough times in the past,” says Bryan, noting challenges such as forest fires, the tsunami of 1964 and mill closures that have taken a toll on the local economy.

He and Sarah made it their mission to turn the city into more than just a gas station stop on the way to Tofino.

Over the course of the season, the Baeumlers take on a range of renovation projects, from revitalizing local businesses and the city’s central waterfront gathering area, Harbour Quay, to transforming the homes of residents making a difference in their community.

Among these local “changemakers” is Gail, a natural caregiver who runs community meals out of her house for neighbours in need. In the first episode, we see Sarah and Bryan give her kitchen an expansive makeover to make it easier for her to continue helping others.

“One thing in Port Alberni that a lot of the changemakers shared, and I think what makes it a really special community, is that they break the cycle,” says Bryan. “Gail, growing up, didn’t have enough food to eat, so she decided, ‘I need to fix this for other people.'”

That sense of community showed up in their own work, too. Whenever the Baeumlers ran into challenges during their renovations, they would turn around to find 10 locals rolling up their sleeves ready to help.

“They’re very proud to live there,” adds Bryan. “If we did anything all summer, I think we reminded Port Alberni that the town is theirs. The town is owned by the people, and they have incredible pride of ownership.”

A lot of work and a little bit of play

No matter how much work there is to be done, when you’re spending an entire summer on Vancouver Island, you have to carve out some time for a little outdoor adventure. And the Baeumlers certainly didn’t miss out.

Between filming schedules, meeting with locals and tackling renovations, the couple made sure to explore other parts of the island, including Tofino and Ucluelet, along with Nanaimo and Parksville.

They did quite a bit of fishing, too, and now have a freezer full of salmon to show for it. Port Alberni is the salmon capital of the world, after all, as Sarah notes.

“If for no other reason, it’s worth going to Port Alberni just to go on a salmon charter,” says Bryan.

But beyond the renovations and island adventures, it’s the connections they made in Port Alberni that will stay with them.

“We were living out there for the summer and being in a small community, you become part of that,” says Sarah. “You see each other at the grocery store and at the restaurants and at the local bakery, so it didn’t take us very long to actually feel at home in Port Alberni.”

Since word got out that the Baeumlers would be hosting Home Town Takeover Canada, people have been telling them how incredible it is and how many lives it will change. But Sarah and Bryan see things a little differently.

“It’s debatable, you know, did we change the town or did the town change us? I think this experience changed us a little more,” says Bryan. “Getting to know the incredible people, the culture and the history was so inspiring. It would have been impossible to leave Port Alberni just thinking, ‘Okay, well that was a job. It’s done. Let’s move on to the next.'”

As for which town they’ll take over next, that remains a question mark for now.

“When the show wrapped, we hit the train tracks and started skipping off like The Littlest Hobo and said, ‘Let’s see where we end up next,'” says Bryan.

He’s joking, of course. But when they do get the call about their next location, there’s no doubt there will be a little skip in both of their steps.

Home Town Takeover Canada premiered on Oct. 25. It airs weekly on Sundays on HGTV in Canada, and can also be streamed on CityTv+

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

1610 Ross Rd., North Vancouver

Type: Five-bedroom, five-bathroom detached

Size: 3,240 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $2,441,000

Listed for: $2,749,900

Sold for: $2,665,000

Sold on: Aug. 28

Days on market in this listing: 53

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

Buyers agent: Michael Lane at eXp Realty

The big sell: This custom-built Lynn Valley home encompasses over 3,000-square-feet of living space with five bedrooms and five bathrooms while sitting on a 6,968-square-foot tree-lined lot with greenbelt views. The two-storey interior features effortless indoor/outdoor living with french doors that open from the dining room onto an entertainment-sized patio. Adding to the relaxation quotient, the patio has the added benefit of a hot tub that overlooks the fully-fenced backyard with its easy maintenance artificial turf and manicured garden. Back inside, there is a great room layout with a modern Shaker-style kitchen adjacent to the living room and family room which are separated by a floor-to-ceiling stone-surround double-sided fireplace. Also on the main floor is a den and an ensuited bedroom, while upstairs are three family bedrooms. A bonus is a completely separate two-level one-bedroom suite for extended family use or for mortgage-helping income.

1707 — 6233 Katsura St., Richmond

Type: One-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment

Size: 672 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $551,200

Listed for: $499,900

Sold for: $490,000

Sold on: July 24

Days on market in this listing: 25

Listing agent: Shafik Ladha PREC at ReMax Westcoast

Buyers agent: Paul Eviston PREC at ReMax Select Properties

The big sell: This one-bedroom condo boasts a sub-penthouse position within Richmond’s Hampton’s Park development that was constructed by Cressey in 2004. It offers plenty of opportunity to enjoy the view spanning the city, parks, airport and the North Shore Mountains thanks to a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows as well as a balcony. The interior layout is functional with a well-equipped kitchen with peninsula seating, a living room with a gas fireplace, plenty of storage space in the bedroom including a walk-through closet, a semi-ensuite bathroom, and insuite laundry. The home comes with one parking stall and a large locker, plus access to residents’ facilities including an indoor swimming pool, a steam room, Jacuzzi, gym, guest suite and lounge. The unit’s monthly maintenance fee is $362.49, and rentals and pets are permitted with restrictions.

714 — 22 East Cordova St., Vancouver

Type: One-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment

Size: 604 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $540,000

Listed for: $583,000

Sold for: $550,000

Sold on: June 20

Days on market in this listing: 149

Listing agent: Elvira Domracheva at Orca Realty Inc.

Buyers agent: Mike Giesbrecht at Royal LePage Sussex

The big sell: The Van Horne building in Vancouver’s Gastown is an architecturally striking building with concrete construction and brick exterior detailing that comprises 166 loft-style units with 16-foot-high ceilings and expansive windows. This particular home has been renovated and occupies an upper-floor position. Buyers’ agent Mike Giesbrecht reports that his clients were attracted to the layout, the abundance of natural light, the balcony with space for a table and chairs (many units in the building have a smaller Juliette balcony), and the southern views of Science World and Mount Baker. Additional highlights include quartz countertops, sleek cabinets and stainless-steel appliances in the kitchen, hardwood floors, radiant heat in the bathroom, concrete ceilings, and a mezzanine-level bedroom. The building’s facilities include secure bike rooms, visitor parking, and a full-time caretaker, and this unit also comes with a parking stall, a storage locker, and a monthly maintenance fee of $426.87.

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

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

Want more expert mortgage info? Robert McLister shares Canada’s best national insured and uninsured mortgage rates, updated daily.

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Household energy costs — gas, electrical, AC — continue to rise. So it’s distressing to see our hard-earned dollars drifting out the door through cracks, substandard windows, uninsulated attics and basements. BC Hydro estimates that your home’s energy bills can be 140 per cent higher in winter than in summer (customers can track their usage — down to the hour — by logging into their account. FortisBC customers can do the same with their “ My energy use ” tool).

And then there are the potential hazards caused by frozen pipes and hoses in the form of leaks and floods. But, as the big chill descends, there are simple steps we can take to minimize those losses and save money — maybe even earn some cold, hard cash in the form of rebates.

Pipe schemes

To keep exterior pipes, hoses and faucets from freezing, Lydia Fookes, BCAA’s manager, consumer marketing, says, “Draining them before it gets super cold can stop pipes from freezing and the water inside expanding and causing them to crack or burst, which then results in water damage.”

Fookes says, after you’ve drained them, turn off the water to your outside faucets and drain pipes, and disconnect hoses and sprinklers. If it gets really cold, you can cover outdoor faucets with an insulation kit or use foam insulation.

“In extreme cold, (you) can open cabinets around indoor plumbing to expose them to warmer air. You can also let a small trickle of water (briefly) run out from at-risk faucets and taps to prevent freezing even more,” says Fookes.

“We typically advise people to keep their home heated to at least 16 degrees Celsius, even while they’re away on vacation. That keeps pipes from freezing, especially those that may not be in insulated areas of the home.”

Fookes says 57 per cent of BCAA’s insurance claims from November to January are the result of backed-up drains and surface water. “Clear gutters are crucial to help direct rain and mounting snow away from your roof, walls and the building’s foundation. Blockages to gutters can cause leaks, overflow and ice buildup.”

She says adding a downspout at least two meters away from the property and directed toward the street can avoid risk of water accumulating near doors, entryways and walls.

Also, remove any dead, damaged or overhanging tree branches that could fall onto your roof during wind, snow or ice buildup.

Draft dodging

Gaps and cracks around windows and doors are prime entryways for cold air to creep inside. In fact, just a one-eighth gap around an entry door can leak as much air as a small open window. BC Hydro notes 45 per cent of heat loss is through walls, floors and the roof.

“Sealing gaps and cracks in exterior walls, caulking windows and applying weather stripping around doors can make a meaningful difference” of up to $600 a year, says Alicia Hearn, program manager, conservation awareness & marketing strategy for Fortis BC.

Mark Cooper, founder and president of North Vancouver’s Shakespeare Homes & Renovations Inc., cautions that homeowners not caulk every visible opening. “Modern windows and building envelope systems are designed to manage and drain moisture, and sealing the wrong areas can actually trap water and create bigger problems.”

BC Hydro says there are a couple of ways to check for drafts: 1) Use a thermal detector. If you see a 5°C or more change in either direction, you have a leak. 2) On a windy day, hold a stick of lit incense near a suspected drafty area. If the smoke wavers or blows out, you have a leak. 3) If you can hear outside noise clearly, it sounds like you have a draft, since a good seal would cut that out. 4) Enlist an energy auditor who will use a powerful fan to evaluate how air tight your home is.

“You don’t necessarily need expensive equipment,” says Cooper. “On a cool, windy day, run your hand around windows, doors, and baseboards to spot cold air entering the home. Common trouble spots include window and door frames, attic hatches, electrical outlets, plumbing penetrations, recessed lighting, and areas where different building materials meet.”

Once you’ve zeroed in on the drafts, apply V-seal weather stripping to sliding windows, foam weather stripping to inside door frames, or foam insulator pads to outlets and light switches on external walls, window insulating film for single-pane windows, caulk or spray foam to air ducts, vents, pipes and cables that exit or enter your home. (Check out BC Hydro’s DIY with Dave video .)

“Good-quality rubber or silicone compression seals generally perform better and last longer than inexpensive adhesive foam products, particularly on frequently used exterior doors,” says Cooper. “If you can feel cold air coming in beneath an exterior door, it’s worth checking the door’s bottom seal and threshold. A properly fitted door sweep or bottom seal can make a noticeable difference, particularly on older doors.”

Cooper says insulated door cores, high-performance glazing, quality weather seals and well-designed thresholds are all important. “Proper sealing between the door frame and the surrounding wall matters as much as the product itself,” although he does suggest when shopping for new doors that they are designed and rated for Canadian climate conditions, including Energy Star-certified products.

Insulation upgrades can net up to $1,200 in rebates , and, if you find your home needs an insulation overhaul, you could be eligible for a home renovation rebate up to $5,500 for upgrades to attics, exterior walls, etc.

Hearn says, “Adding insulation to attics, crawl spaces and basements can save an average of 15 per cent on heating costs. Customers may be eligible for rebates for insulation projects when the work is completed by a member in good standing with the Home Performance Contractor Network . Through the Home Renovation Rebate Program, customers may be eligible for rebates for energy-efficient windows, doors and insulation. ”

Cooper says, “Modern high-performance windows use technologies such as low-E coatings, insulating gas fills, improved frames, and better glazing systems to reduce heat transfer. Triple-glazed windows can provide even greater comfort and energy performance, particularly in colder conditions.”

Beyond energy savings, he says, better windows can reduce cold spots, improve comfort near the glass, and help manage interior condensation.

“However, proper installation, flashing, and air sealing are critical. A poorly installed expensive window can still cause drafts, water penetration, and long-term damage.”

He says an acceptable temporary or budget-friendly alternative is an interior insulating film kit, which can reduce drafts around older windows.

Furnace filters

Fortis B.C. says if your furnace is more than 15 years old, it’s only between 70 and 80 per cent efficient. “Homeowners can find the efficiency of their natural gas fireplace by looking at the EnerGuide Fireplace Efficiency label or by checking the Natural Resources Canada Fireplace database, ” says Hearn.

Newer heating systems, like Energy Star natural gas furnaces and boilers, are at least 94 per cent efficient.

It’s a good idea to check your filter at least every three months and clean or replace it regularly, more often if smokers or pets live with you. Tight-fitting pleated filters work best. (Fortis offers how-to videos on YouTube.)

Fortis also recommends having your furnace, boiler or heat pump serviced annually by a licensed contractor (and potentially qualify for rebates of up to $150).

“For longer term savings, homeowners may consider replacing electric baseboards with a high-efficiency air source heat pump,” says Hearn, noting that upgrades may be eligible for rebates of up to $4,000 .

Clean the filters on your indoor heat pumps several times a year and replace them once a year for maximum efficiency.

“A high-efficiency heat pump is designed to deliver more heating and cooling using less electricity than older or less efficient models,” says Hearn. “It’s important to note that heat pumps need to be sized carefully and installed correctly to perform according to their efficiency rating.”

BC Hydro spokesperson Jill Dickau adds that air-source heat pumps work by extracting heat from outdoor air and transferring it indoors. “Compared to conventional models, high-efficiency heat pumps maintain their performance more effectively in colder temperatures and use less electricity to deliver the same level of comfort.” She says eligible customers can get rebates of up to $4,000 for installing a heat pump and may even qualify for a free heat pump based on income. The federal government also recently announced a new National Heat Pump Rebate .

You can also save on energy costs by using your gas fireplace to heat only the areas you’re occupying and turning down heating in the rest of the house. If you’re upgrading to a newer fireplace, the most energy-efficient models are sold with the EnerChoice logo.

Some like it hot

BC Hydro recommends setting your thermostat at an energy-efficient 18°C to 21°C (16° overnight), depending on your activity level, and leave it. Frequent setting changes can impact the efficiency (and your energy costs). “Upgrading to a smart thermostat can cut electricity used for space heating by an average of nine per cent,” says Dickau. And, she adds, “Eligible BC Hydro customers with electric baseboard heating can receive up to five free smart thermostats to manage their energy use.”

A smart or programmable thermostat connects to your internet, letting you maintain an ideal temperature remotely from your smartphone or laptop. Some even adapt to your preferences and use built-in sensors to detect movement in different rooms and adjust automatically. Hearn says customers can access rebates of up to $150 for qualifying connected thermostats.

Dickau notes many electronics continue to draw power even when turned off, known as standby power. “This can account for up to 10 per cent of a household’s electricity use. Unplugging devices or using a power bar that can be switched off can help reduce unnecessary energy consumption.”

She adds that eligible B.C. homeowners can receive up to $12,500 in rebates through BC Hydro’s Home Renovation Rebates Program for upgrades such as insulation, windows and doors, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and other energy-saving improvements. Check out more at bchydro.com/rebates .

There are many other simple steps we can take to reduce energy. Keep furniture (and drapes) at least 30 cm away from vents, registers and baseboard heaters and at least 15 cm from the sides of the baseboard to improve air flow and avoid a fire hazard.

Open curtains on warm days and close them at night and on cold days. Close off unused rooms. Set ceiling fans to spin clockwise at a low speed to help circulate warm air that naturally rises to the ceiling. Lay a thick area rug on unheated floors. Wear fuzzy slippers, heavy sweaters and blankets to stay toasty.

Ultimately, a little preventive maintenance every fall can go a long way, says Cooper. “You don’t necessarily need to spend thousands of dollars to make meaningful improvements to your home’s comfort and efficiency.

When you’re considering larger upgrades, it’s worth looking at the home as a complete system rather than addressing individual components in isolation.”

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In Vancouver’s Point Grey neighbourhood, artist and industrial designer Zoë Pawlak has opened a new creative space, welcoming visitors for coffee, conversation and a closer look at her work.

After five years in the city’s Armoury District, Pawlak has moved her practice to a quieter, street-level studio, where familiar faces regularly stop by and informal tours offer a chance to discover the stories behind her paintings.

This move marks a fresh chapter for the Vancouver artist, who is celebrating 20 years as a full-time creative professional.

“I am now situated in an area that is both commercial and surrounded by a few beautiful neighbourhoods. It’s walkable, so I have noticed that many of my past clients, colleagues and acquaintances walk by, pop in and say hello,” she says.

The new space offers a balance of accessibility and privacy, allowing Pawlak to connect with her community while making time for the focused work her practice demands.

The change of surroundings coincides with a shift in Pawlak’s artistic direction. Her newest collection, Under This Strange Sun, comprises six paintings created for the inaugural soft opening of the new Poltrona Frau flagship store in Vancouver.

This collection explores a more fully abstract language of colour, light and atmosphere. “I spent the summer observing and recording the sun at dawn and dusk, fascinated by the haunting, ethereal beauty of the skies and how different they feel from those clear skies of our childhoods,” she says.

The new studio is also part of a broader change in how Pawlak approaches her working life.

Last winter, she decided to give up the larger gallery and studio space she’d maintained for years, reducing overhead and giving herself more freedom to pursue opportunities beyond Vancouver.

That flexibility has already taken her to Los Angeles, where she developed a new body of work at Thomas Hayes Studio, to Baja for a collaboration at Dome Home and to New Mexico, where she taught at Ghost Ranch.

“Also, my children are now grown (18 and 20), so I’m more free to look around at what’s next,” she says.

It’s a shift she welcomes as she reaches an important career milestone. “I feel very much mid-career, which is a wonderful position to be in. You have enough experience to be respected and are also young enough to have the ability to be sharp and innovate,” she says.

Over the past 20 years, Pawlak has established herself as an artist whose curiosity extends well beyond painting. Her distinctive use of colour and form has translated into furniture, rugs, mirrors and sculpture, often through collaborations with designers and skilled craftspeople.

Working with Vancouver designer Jeff Martin, she created hand-painted furniture, some of which was purchased by the Canadian government for use internationally.

Another collaboration took her to a Quebec foundry, where she pursued an ambitious bronze wall sculpture despite initially being told it couldn’t be made.

While Pawlak regularly sells work in New York and Los Angeles and travels to Canadian cities including Toronto, Montreal and Calgary, Vancouver remains central to her creative life.

She’s particularly encouraged by the city’s evolving design scene, from independent galleries to events surrounding IDS West.

“Vancouver has such a supportive and connected design community. There’s a genuine sense of camaraderie and so much love for one another’s work,” she says.

Pawlak has definitely fostered those connections. In 2007, she co-founded a group for female entrepreneurs that went on to organize more than 35 free events and six retreats.

She’s now exploring new markets, including Arizona, Dubai and New Mexico, while expanding her practice through teaching, retreats and private commissions.

Pawlak also recently celebrated ten years of sobriety from alcohol, which has been the most significant change in her career, she says.

“When you’re able to be more clear, the work and all decisions related to the career become more effective, profitable and rewarding. I feel that I have a very clear sense of what I am building this year. This includes more teaching, leading retreats, private clients, and expanding sales of my oracle deck,” she says.

Pawlak’s oracle deck features 40 gold-embossed cards that showcase paintings from her Vessels and Muses collections. A booklet describes the meaning behind each card, with journal prompts and connections to the 12 astrological signs.

“I’ve always been interested in the relationship between art, intuition and our inner lives, and I loved the idea of creating something that people could engage with in a more personal, everyday way,” she says.

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Shakespeare’s Macbeth was a dark tragedy, but there’s nothing dark (or tragic) about this six-bedroom, eight- bathroom home on West Vancouver’s Macbeth Crescent. Quite the opposite, in fact.

With 20-foot ceilings in the great room and a wall of windows to match, plus numerous windows strategically placed throughout, there are plenty of entry points to let the sun shine in all day long. But it doesn’t lack for privacy: this home, designed by Marque Thompson with interior design by Raveninside, provides the best of both worlds, says listing agent Peter Joudaki of Progressive Vancouver Team/Angell Hasman & Associates Realty Ltd.

“You can’t see anybody from inside but you don’t lack sun. Usually that’s the trade-off: You get a private lot but it’s dark, or you get a bright lot but you see the roofs of other houses outside your window, or you have to close your blinds at certain times of the day. (Here you get) super sunny, super private.”

And that makes a difference when you’re spending time on the half acre of lawn and terraced garden enjoying the pool (with automatic cover), hot tub, fire pit, or on the covered lanai with its outdoor chef’s kitchen.

Another unusual standout? The backyard creek with spawning salmon. “You can actually see the salmon that spawn throughout the year, so (the owner) set up seating and a fire pit along the creek to watch them,” says Joudaki. “Most creeks run a little stronger and quicker, but this one, Wagg Creek, is very calm and relaxing. It never really rages.”

What’s inside

If you suspected an athlete was the vision behind a home that was designed and built to include a regulation 20-foot high ceilinged sports court for squash and basketball, a double-height gym, a Pilates studio with its own entrance, a sauna and steam room, you would be right.

The current owner, says Joudaki, is a former professional athlete who played “a very high level soccer when he was younger, and still plays Division 1.”

His wife is a Pilates instructor and their two kids play a variety of sports. “They built this house specifically for their family, designing everything around their active lifestyle.”

A part of that active lifestyle includes entertaining, and the mostly covered and heated outdoor decks and patios, pool, fire pit and kitchen are perfect for parties, rain or shine. “They even put in a connection for an outdoor projector system because they thought it would be cool for their kids to have their friends over to watch movies outdoors,” says Joudaki.

At the front entranceway, down a few steps to a huge glass pivot door, sits a fully covered lounge area. “They designed it like that because they know that in Vancouver we get five to six months, potentially, of rain,” says Joudaki. “And when they’re hosting, they don’t want their guests waiting outside in the rain for their car or taxi to arrive.”

Once through that huge pivot door, a beautiful, hand-blown Bocci chandelier hangs from the 20-foot ceilings of the great room.

A floor-to-ceiling stone hearth reaches to cedar planking overhead. White oak, more cedar, pale stone, and blackened steel completes the palette. Take the floating oak staircase or elevator to reach all three levels.

The kitchen is furnished by Italian manufacturer Scavolini and features Gaggenau stove and steam oven, Sub-Zero fridge, wine fridge and freezer, and a high-end Caliber nine-burner range. “(The owner) chose this (range) because you can customize the colour of the knobs and lighting,” says Joudaki. “He wanted an industrial look to mix in with the sleek, modern feel (of the home). And he wanted to add brass because there’s a few brass fixtures mixed in throughout.”

A separate butler’s kitchen and pantry allows for private prep when the house is full of guests. The dining room, which can accommodate 20, opens onto the heated, covered terrace and outdoor kitchen for seamless indoor-outdoor entertaining.

The homeowners chose Italian porcelain countertops made by Macchia Vecchia as opposed to marble for its practicality. “Real marble is very porous,” says Joudaki. “They have two kids, so they wanted their kitchen to be durable. They wanted to cook and hang out and not have (the counters) potentially stained or discoloured.”

Downstairs, off a rec room, is a wet bar with shelving to display the couple’s wine collection, as well as a home theatre.

Bedrooms include two primary suites as well as four other bedrooms and a nanny suite with kitchenette. The main bedroom has a fireplace and the en suite features a walk-in shower with stone bench and brass fittings, black-framed glass doors and freestanding tub.

“Most (interested buyers) are families that have active kids, like privacy, and don’t want something too ostentatious,” says Joudaki. “From the outside, it looks like a subtle, unassuming one-level modern house. But when you see it from the backyard, the scale and how it unfolds is unbelievable.”

In the neighbourhood

Macbeth is a little crescent not many people know about, says Joudaki. “This pocket is east of Taylor Way, which provides this incredible lifestyle that’s super close to everything. You’re five minutes from (Lions Gate) bridge and five minutes from the highway. It’s really convenient but it seems secluded.”

Cedardale Elementary School is a nine-minute walk away and West Vancouver Secondary is five minutes by car.

Park Royal Shopping Centre is a seven-minute drive. Restaurants and more shops are abundant along nearby Taylor Way.

Location:450 Macbeth Crescent, West Vancouver

Listed for: $9,688,000

Year built: 2025

Type: Six bedrooms, eight bathrooms

Size: 10,691 square feet

Realtor: Listed by Peter Joudaki, Progressive Vancouver Team/Angell Hasman & Associates

We independently select everything we recommend. Buying through us may earn us a commission, which supports our work.

The sauna that calms us; the massage that hits just the spot: who doesn’t love luxuriating at a hotel spa?

It’s often an overarching reason why we check in — along with a thread count that’s higher than our usual linen — either as an overnight or local guest to spaces such as the revamped Fairmont Pacific Rim’s spa in downtown Vancouver. However, while we might not have its 8,500 square feet and North Shore vistas to play with, there’s an increasing demand to translate those reset moments into our own homes.

“Post-COVID we have seen a real change,” Vancouver designer Kelly Deck says. “Clients are putting exceptional spas into their homes and investing in these resources for themselves in a way they simply were not before. They are only getting more elaborate and essential.”

Creating wellness spaces in any setting is about working out the perfect flow. At the hotel, spa director Kim Carmichael explains “the journey has to be as seamless as possible” — whether you’re enjoying its newest arrivals such as a sauna with Himalayan salt bricks and treatment tables with heated water or sand that mimics lying on a beach along with its detoxing lounges inside or outside on the spacious terrace.

That means at home, the ideal is to bring all the spa elements together in a dedicated spot to ensure, as Deck puts it, “a more restful and holistic experience.” Ideally that would see, say, a sauna — infrared are must-haves today — and a steam shower, the next most popular request, off the primary suite, she continues. “Although in practice, most of our homes locate it beside the gym because the floorplans don’t allow for the 500-plus square feet clients are wanting for their spas.”

A type of polar immersion is third on the list when it comes to her client’s key spa ingredients. “The room has to work for how that person actually behaves, though,” she adds. “We consider the sequence carefully; we never force it. Not everyone likes to cold plunge.” (If the designer needs to sacrifice any option, it’s often the massage table. “It consumes an enormous amount of room for what it gives back.”)

Both experts stress the importance of being as close to nature in every possible way: think limestone, plaster, marble, wood and natural stone for your chosen material, and add in plants if you have natural light. Of course being next to an inner courtyard or garden is a significant bonus. “Bring as much of the outside in,” Carmichael opines. “That’s where you have physiological benefits: calming the nervous system, reducing anxiety, clearing negative energy.”

Deck agrees, “The atmosphere comes from a collection of sensuous materials.” Where steam is involved, porosity governs and usually she turns to ceramic tiles but “always in a very soft glaze so it feels gentle to look at.” The new Moen hydrotherapy shower is a hit at the Pac Rim, but Carmichael suggests even potentially swapping out a shower head in your own bathroom might work wonders. “You can change the pressure of your shower and enjoy the contrast of hot and cold,” she adds.

Atmospheric lighting should also help set the right mood, as well as Selenite or Himalayan salt lamps. Never use pot lights, however. “It puts pressure on the nervous system, absolutely and immediately,” Deck opines. “Hidden details that wash the walls in soft light will do more for a room than any decorative fixture, which mostly distracts.” (Think of a similar clever trick with LED therapy panels — which aren’t always attractive, she concedes: conceal them behind a door or in cabinetry, then bring them out when needed.)

They highlight the need for soft paint hues. For example, choose warm over a fluorescent white, Carmichael suggests, while Deck adds light parchment and linen colours into the mix or a swathe of dark, moody emerald green. “Both can be deeply restful,” she comments. “I feel there are many directions here. The layering of the finishes is what decides it. A restrained palette and excellent lighting are what produce serenity.”

Beyond the big-ticket items, beautiful linens, candles, scent, scrubs and even an elevated tea station will transform a room and reinforce the essence of an attractive spa. When a relaxing treatment, such as the hotel’s new ‘sculpting tide of renewal flow’ on its heated water mattress, isn’t available to you, pick up some gua sha stones to help move the fascia as well as simply setting a room into vignettes.

“A curated basket, an open shelf, a small bench …” Deck concludes. “When the elements of self-care are thoughtfully placed and within reach, the ritual becomes part of the everyday.”

So no matter the size of the space, it seems that every little helps to quieten our minds with a spot of daily wellness.

A few notable spa equipment makers:

Cold plunges: Canadian-made cedar Forest Cooperage or for stainless steel options, check out Polar Monkeys

Red light therapy panels:Sunlighten

Saunas:Blackstone Saunas

Shower specialists:Moen , Mr. Steam or Thermasol

Specialist massage treatment tables: Italian manufacturers Lemi Spa

Stone walls: Burnaby-based supplier: Adera Natural Stone Supply

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Not simply a place to sit, sofas are for morning coffee, Sunday papers, movie nights, friends dropping in and those magic evenings when staying in feels like the best plan.

For Fall/Winter 2026, top designers are releasing sofas that feel generous without becoming cumbersome, sculptural but not precious and individual without shouting for attention.

Comfort is back, but it’s grown up.

Softer, deeper and more inviting

Toronto designer Paolo Ferrari sees a move toward furniture with more physical generosity, but not visual heaviness.

“Sofas are becoming lower, deeper and more enveloping, while their external silhouette remains quite controlled,” he says.

That balance is captured in Ferrari’s MC72 for Poltrona Frau, a low, sweeping sofa inspired conceptually by the aerodynamic language of the Macchi M. C. 72 seaplane.

Ferrari describes the collection as an exploration of “precision, movement and comfort,” with a streamlined form that feels at once grounded and light.

His palette for the season is equally warm and enveloping.

“I’m drawn to warm, mineral and earthy tones, or materials that have depth of colour. Deep browns, oxbloods, tobacco, butter creams.”

More than colour alone, Ferrari is interested in upholstery that changes how a sofa is experienced.

“The material should reinforce the form,” he says.

Comfort with a little personality

At Vancouver design studio Marrimor, the Notch sofa takes another approach to comfort: sleek, playful and deliberately unexpected.

“There’s this idea that more is more comfortable, especially right now. We think it’s a real sign of the times that everyone really wants to sink in and get comfortable,” says Marrimor designer Lauren Bugliarisi, who designs alongside Tanja Breadner.

The studio began by playing with a clean silhouette, enlarging its proportions and then quite literally cutting pieces away.

“We even highlighted those really intentional gaps and notches with piping to challenge typical expectations and draw attention to the subversion,” she says.

The surprise comes when people actually sit down, says Bugliarisi.

“Even with the sleek frame and contrarian details, it just sits so well and people really melt into it!”

She is also seeing the return of what might be called the personality sofa — a piece that establishes the mood of the room rather than quietly disappearing into it.

“We are excited to see the return of a statement sofa, with new understandings of personal tailoring.”

Among the pieces catching Marrimor’s attention beyond its own collection is Faye Toogood’s Butter sofa for Tacchini.

“The first time we saw it presented in person we looked at one another and said ‘I need to crawl into that sofa immediately’,” says Bugliarisi.

The sofa that changes with you

Flexibility is another important idea this season.

Designer Yves Béhar developed his Peaks modular sofa for Moooi around play and adaptability, allowing the arrangement to shift according to how a space is being used.

Peaks can move between lounging, movie seating and a flat platform, with indoor and outdoor configurations possible.

“It gives sunken living room vibes, but expands the possibilities to so many different uses,” says Béhar.

He is also noticing a refinement in sofa proportions:

“Large scale and plenty of depth is still important, but less of the pachydermic look and more elegant and refined lines.”

Buy for your life, not the trend

Perhaps the strongest theme running through all these designers is longevity.

At Australian furniture company King Living, Head of Design Chris Cooke points to the Jasper sofa, introduced in 2003 and still the company’s bestseller.

“Its staying power comes from a combination that’s difficult to get right: a distinctive architectural form, genuine everyday comfort and the ability to make the sofa your own.”

King’s new Delta sofa takes a similarly long view. Its softer, curved silhouette can work alongside earlier Delta pieces rather than forcing owners to start again.

“We don’t design a sofa around a seasonal look. Proportion, material, comfort and function all need to hold their own long after autumn or winter has passed,” says Cooke.

That may be the best advice for anyone sofa shopping this fall.

Ferrari says scale and the architecture of the room should come first. Bugliarisi warns against choosing a sofa in isolation: “We always say, ‘the composition should sing’ — so don’t shop for a sofa in a vacuum!”

“I hope people are considering uniqueness and the right fit for their lives rather than matching trends,” says Béhar.

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Once a woodworker, always a woodworker. Marc Bricault may be an accomplished interior and architectural designer, but he started out as an artisan, and his work is still grounded in timber.

For a custom guest house in Whistler, he layered Douglas fir inside and out.

“We used fir because I really like the warmth of it and how it ages, and it’s a Pacific Northwest material,” says Bricault, who began his career as owner of Granville Island Woodworks and is now principal of Vancouver’s Bricault Design. “A lot of time spent up here is going to be in the winter. We just really wanted it to feel like a warm little cabin where, after a day outside on the slopes, you come and just feel cosy.”

When the homeowner, a longtime client, asked Bricault to add a guest house to her Whistler property, she wanted it to feel connected to the main house without blocking views. He and his team dovetailed the 1,268-square-foot structure into the landscape so deftly that it’s nearly camouflaged among conifers and shrubs.

He had a small section of rock blasted away so the narrow, two-storey structure could notch into the cliffside on one side of the property. The placement also preserves wildlife corridors used by local bears.

Angling upper walls away from the main home’s view lines, he extended the landscape over a series of walkways with tiered green roofs.

“I kind of grabbed the backyard and pulled it on top of the carport,” says Bricault. “We terraced along the way to have a really generously protected walkway from the carport to the little house, because of Whistler snow loads and so that you aren’t shovelling your walk every time you go to the guest house.”

Landscaping softens the rest of the edges. Working with High Country Landscape, Bricault used hardy, low-maintenance vegetation on the green roofs, then added trees to frame specific views: a paperbark maple outside the dining room, a red-leafed Japanese maple at the end of a walkway. A raised mound planted with perennials screens a neighbouring property.

Material choices help the structure blend in further. Black slate shakes give the exterior a “toothlike” form, “like a big rock,” says Bricault, reminiscent of Black Tusk, the jagged volcanic peak in nearby Garibaldi Provincial Park. Copper downpipes and fascia, still bright in places, will darken as they weather.

Under canopies and soffits, edge-grain fir adds warmth, running inside and onto interior walls and ceilings. Bricault’s woodworking roots show here and throughout the home, especially where cabinetry does more than one job — storage, room divider, design feature — and custom pieces blur the line between built-ins and furniture.

Take the entry, where a compact mud room turns the space into a functional landing spot. Fir millwork provides storage while creating separation from the dining area, and a built-in bench flows into open shelving.

A corner window looks toward a cliff face laced with green foliage. “We planted that whole back area with ferns, so it’s kind of a nice spot to sit and take off your boots,” says Bricault. The team also widened natural fissures in the rock to plant moss, he adds: “It’s starting to populate the side of that cliff because it’s in shade a lot of the time. It’s quite lovely when it’s wet.”

A powder room off the entry brings the exterior palette inside, with fir, copper, forest-green tile, soft green quartzite counters and a custom floating mirror edged in bent wood. A second wide window frames the mossy rock outside.

In the kitchen, green quartzite counters top fir cabinetry with copper-plated hardware, while glossy green ceramic tile runs along the backsplash and adjoining walls.

For the dining room, Bricault designed a custom white-oak table with an expandable top and fluting on the apron and legs. Project millworker and Bricault’s longtime collaborator Ted Belch produced the piece locally. A striped pendant overhead adds a playful touch.

Around the corner, a petite living room centres on a fir-lined bay window and glazed-tile fireplace. A concrete hearth extends to the foot of a staircase with cantilevered steps of FSC-certified arbutus. Slim vertical steel bars help support the treads and frame open shelving, continuing upstairs, where they become a guardrail in the sleeping quarters.

There, copper panels etched with a Japanese floral motif flank the bed above arbutus-burl side tables. Built-in drawers opposite make use of the depth created by the angled exterior walls. Motorized blinds disappear into recessed ceiling pockets.

The ensuite continues the home’s earthy palette with brown-green Italian porcelain tile, arbutus flooring and a custom fir vanity perched on fluted legs that feels like furniture. A free-standing tub sits beside a window framing mountain views, while millwork adds storage and separates the bathroom from the bedroom.

For Bricault, the guest house shows how much a small footprint can hold. “I think we managed to fit quite a bit into a very small stand-alone house,” he says. “It feels quite luxurious to me, and cosy and warm and very functional for the size of it.”

Architectural and interior design:Bricault Design

Construction:Vision Pacific Construction

Landscaping:High Country Landscape

Millwork:Ted Belch, Ebony Architectural Woodwork

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

801 — 3315 Cypress Pl., West Vancouver

Type: Three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment

Size: 2,018 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,991,000

Listed for: $2,550,000

Sold for: $2,300,000

Sold on: Aug. 10

Days on market in this listing: 118

Listing agent: Rahim Jivraj at eXp Realty

Buyers agent: Franco Diligenti PREC at Macdonald Realty

The big sell: The Cypress Park Estates community resides on the slopes of West Vancouver with properties designed to capture the far-reaching vistas that span Mount Baker to the Gulf Islands. Many of these view homes are detached but StoneCliff is a three-tower concrete residential condo development comprising 111 units that were constructed in the early 2000s. Occupying part of one of the towers is this triple-aspect corner unit that features the sleeping quarters on one side of the floorplan and the reception rooms on the other — deliberately arranged to take full advantage of the uninterrupted south-facing coastal views. The renovated interior features bespoke finishings that create a modern esthetic with custom cabinetry, contemporary light fixtures, and modern bathrooms. The complex provides a number of clubhouse amenities shared between residents of the three towers, and this unit comes with a private double garage and a monthly maintenance fee of $1,319.63.

9314 216 St., Langley

Type: Six-bedroom, four-bathroom detached

Size: 3,217 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,354,000

Listed for: $1,369,900

Sold for: $1,339,000

Sold on: Aug. 5

Days on market in this listing: 48

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

Buyers agent: Chandan Rathod at Sutton Group — Seafair Realty

The big sell: This spacious three-level home resides in Langley’s Walnut Grove district within the Redwood Estates neighbourhood. With six bedrooms and four bathrooms (including a two-bedroom basement suite), the house offers a versatile design and plenty of space for a growing family. The main floor has bright living and dining rooms with a traditional cross-hall layout complete with coffered ceilings and crown mouldings, while the kitchen has Shaker-style maple cabinets, an island, and stainless-steel appliances. Adjacent to the kitchen is an 18-foot-long family room with a gas fireplace, and views across the fully-fenced backyard. There are four generous-sized bedrooms upstairs including the primary suite with a walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom. In addition to the accommodation on the lowest level, there is a recreation room for use by the main house. The property has a double garage with lane access, and the home is air-conditioned and a new furnace has recently been installed.

4505 — 3833 Evergreen Pl., Burnaby

Type: Three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment

Size: 1,175 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,176,000

Listed for: $1,099,999

Sold for: $1,055,000

Sold on: June 30

Days on market in this listing: Seven

Listing agent: Adam Chahl PREC at Oakwyn Realty

Buyers agent: Payam Nasernejad at faithwilson Christie’s International Real Estate

The big sell: This air-conditioned sky suite offers a bird’s-eye view of the area due to its position on the 45th floor within the master-planned City of Lougheed site which offers four newly-built residential towers within its five-acre Neighbourhood ONE community, as well as a three-storey central amenity building with fitness and wellness options for residents including a rooftop putting green. A convenient location next to Lougheed Mall with the SkyTrain and numerous retail choices is another bonus. This particular home has two balconies with glass-panel railings, three bedrooms (two are ensuited), laminate floors throughout the interior, white matte cabinets in the kitchen alongside integrated appliances including a french door refrigerator, and there is full-sized laundry. It comes with one parking stall in the underground garage, and a monthly maintenance fee of $723.61.

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

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

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By any measure, a wall tile install or overhaul can elevate any kitchen or bathroom into a brighter, cleaner, jazzier or classier space, depending on the tile style.

The job can be complicated and time-consuming, requiring the expertise of a pro, especially if using high-end materials like imported marble, zellige, porcelain or travertine. Or it can be quick and easy if you opt for DIY peel-and-stick types, which have come a long way from the cheap, plastic-looking tiles of old.

Tile types

Bathroom and kitchen wall tiles generally come in two main types: field and mosaic. Field tiles are larger than decorative tiles, allowing you to cover a bigger surface area.

Mosaic tiles are usually smaller, and are laid together on a large sheet with mesh backing, so you can place dozens at a time.

Ceramic is the most popular material for backsplash tiling because it’s made from clay that has been fired at a high temperature to make it hard and durable. When glazed, ceramic tiles are moisture- and stain-resistant.

Porcelain, a type of ceramic, but harder, denser, more durable and less porous, is also popular.

Natural stone tiles — milky white marble streaked with veins of grey and black; travertine with its dimpled texture and warm tones; smooth slate, made of sedimentary rock in shades of grey; and naturally water-resistant, classy granite — are all highly durable with a variety of textures and colours. They’re costlier and heavier than ceramic and trickier to install yourself.

Engineered materials like glass and cement are less expensive and more versatile. Glass is non-porous and easy to cut with the right tools.

Sealed cement tiles are super durable and are available in a variety of beautiful shapes and patterns. They are, however, heavier and thicker, so make sure your walls can support that extra weight.

Metal tiles are often made of shiny stainless steel but can also come in copper, brass and tin, all durable and water-resistant. They’re lighter than most materials and relatively easy to install.

Wood tiles come in many shapes and designs and often retain their natural grain look. They’re lightweight, affordable and easy to install but often need to be properly sealed to repel water.

As for shapes, backsplash tiles are available in grid-like square; subway-style rectangle; honeycomb hexagon; curvy arabesque; and argyle-like diamond. Popular designs include staggered rectangular subway; ceramic brick made to look like the real thing; zig-zaggy herringbone/chevron; and simple pre-set grid sheets.

Sticky situation

High-end, specialty tile installation is best left to the pros. Peel-and-stick tiles are easy enough for most people to do themselves.

Many interior designers, however, frown upon peel-and-stick as a low-rent solution for a high-end room.

“They definitely have a place,” says Sandra Flora of Vancouver’s Sandra Flora Home Design . “Maybe as a temporary update for a rental space or an RV, or if you’re on a fixed budget, but I would never substitute a peel-and- stick tile for the real thing. If you have your own home and you want your kitchen done right so it’s going to last, I would invest in permanent tiles.”

Flora says she can spot cheap peel-and-stick from across a room. “You’ll see lifting, peeling, wear and tear. Sometimes they pull the drywall right off when you try to remove them.”

Marie-Maude Hannan, developpement des affaires for Quebec-based Inoxia Walls , says her company’s SpeedTiles are made of the real thing — stone, glass, marble, metal and, soon, porcelain. And they come with a 10-year warranty.

“We have a few models that are groutable so once they’re installed nobody knows that they’re peel-and-stick because they look exactly the same as any traditional tile,” says Hannan. “You can’t tell them apart, I assure you.”

Against the walls

Laying traditional tiles can be an involved, multi-day process requiring wall sanding, spreading adhesive or mortar with a trowel, laying the tiles precisely, placing tile-spacers, one to two days of drying then grouting, then, after a few days of curing, sealing and caulking.

Peel-and-stick are much easier. “I’m not a handy person and I did my backsplash myself in one morning,” says Hannan, noting that, because the tiles are made of real materials, they do need to be cut with tools.

She says you can even install Inoxia’s tiles over existing tiles, provided the surface is clean, smooth, level and non-porous. If not, it would have to be primed to prevent it absorbing the adhesive.

Peel-and-stick tiles can be pretty unforgiving — if you make a mistake, you’re stuck, literally. Hannan says there’s a trick to avoid that. “Mix water and a bit of dish soap in an empty 500-750 ml spray bottle, spray the back of the tile with the solution and spread it over the entire tile with your hands. This will delay the bond for maybe 30 seconds to allow you to place it correctly.”

She says if you tire of the tiles after a few years you’ll have to remove them the same way you would with traditional tiles that were installed using mortar because the adhesive is so strong the wall will come off with the tile.

She says tiles that require grout can be installed on a shower wall but not the floor because they are so thin they could break. Also, “We don’t recommend the ones without grout in wet areas, not because of the adhesion but because, even though they’re really tight, there can be micro gaps in between the tiles (that could cause) mildew buildup. But for the grouted tiles, as long as the wall is prepped correctly, just as with any other tile, then there is no issue at all.”

Hannan says, depending on the type of tile, most can be cleaned with a washcloth, water and mild soap.

Matching tile with decor

Before selecting the style of tile, Flora first considers the style of the space she’s decorating.

“I’ll take the client’s artwork into consideration. If it’s very expensive, they’re not going to change that so I’ll work around it so the tiling complements it. I also take into consideration countertops, flooring, lighting, paint colour, hardware, cabinets, unless they’re willing to change it. I might get them to swap out the hardware on their kitchen cabinets and bring in a punch of cool colours and patterns to the tile.”

For design elements, Flora will often add a few decorative ceramic tiles with features such as handmade paintings. “There are some beautiful tiles that have an Amalfi Coast setting. You can add a mosaic type in behind a stove, sometimes in a shower insert. You can never go wrong with light colours and the odd few pops of forest greens, tans, creams. Pink or purple wouldn’t be something I would do because it’s too trendy. This isn’t something you’re going to do every few years because it’s very expensive.”

She prefers natural stone and simple ceramic tiles which she says never go out of style. “Subway tile is great when it’s used in the right layout and with the right colour grout. A lot of designers stay away from subway tile because they see it as dated. I don’t. I see it as timeless, classic.”

She also avoids grey, which she says can be very drab, especially in Vancouver in the fall and winter when we get a lot of rain. “If you bring in some lighter, brighter colours it opens up and brightens up a space and changes the mood.”

If you do opt for peel-and-stick, Hannan says it’s important to differentiate between quality tiles like Inoxia’s and cheaper vinyl or plastic options.

“I’m no expert in those but from what I’ve seen and heard, sometimes they can yellow or crack with time. Because they’re made to be a temporary solution the adhesive is not extra powerful so they can fall off. You also cannot put them over heat so (they won’t work) as a backsplash behind your stove because they’ll burn. Our peel-and-stick is much faster, much easier, but look exactly the same. It’s the best of both worlds.”

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Fall bulb planting has changed dramatically. Gone are the days of picking up some bulbs, scattering them throughout the garden, and looking forward to a spring display.

Today it’s more about creating a specific look in a specific area for a specific time. There is a six-month window of opportunity and creative gardeners are doing some amazing things.

There’s also a great deal of competition for those bulbs. They’re great food for rodents, and squirrels are some of the leading culprits. Plan A is to avoid planting their favourites, and Plan B is being a lot more creative than they are.

Safe bets are the very large narcissus family, giving you many options in size and timing. The allium family is becoming very popular and offers great diversity in varieties. Since rodents are not fans of onions, they also stand a good chance of making it. Also not rodent friendly, the unique fritillaries are a good choice. They add a fun yet natural look to the garden. Surprisingly, snow drops, or Galanthus, are not on the rodent menu, giving us a mid-winter show to kick off our bulb display season.

Planted now, your snow drops should start to appear in late December or early January, depending on the winter weather. Planted around trees and shrubs, in among ground covers like sedums and the black mondo grass, and next to dark foliaged heucheras, they make for great combinations. More folks are planting bulbs in lawn areas where they can naturalize and multiply each year all nestled in a nice green blanket.

The vibrant colours of crocus can be used in the same ways, but you’ll have some competition for these tasty bulbs. The simplest and easiest way to protect them is by covering your plantings with a small weave wire mesh. It can stay in the ground year-round as the bulbs flower through the mesh and the leaves will come and go without anyone noticing. Another deterrent is strongly scented herb leaves like mint and chives, which, when sprinkled over the plantings and covered with soil, will help repel rodents.

Although not actually rodent proof, the whole family of muscari, or grape hyacinths, seem to have little attraction for our bulb eating friends. Muscari multiply and naturalize easily and planted among ground covers, evergreen perennials, and evergreen shrubs like dwarf azaleas and rhododendrons, they look quite stunning. The fact they are now available in shades of blue, white, and pink further broadens their appeal. The world’s number one bulb show garden, Keukenhof in Holland, uses them everywhere as an accent. They make a stunning display initially, and then improve as they multiply each year. I would simply scatter some chives and mint leaves around them when planting for some insurance.

The most impressive narcissus are the smaller varieties like the bulbicodiums and Tete a Tetes. Bulbicodium bulbs are about the same size as a crocus and can be used in the same way as companions to ground covers, evergreen perennials, and low broadleafed shrubs. Tete a Tete narcissus, while one of the smallest, are the most floriferous in the world and can produce from six to nine flowers per bulb the first year. They are also the best indoor forcing mini-daffodils for containers and pots, with great lasting qualities too. These would be my number one pick for patio pots, but they might need a little protection in cold winters.

Don’t forget the cut flower trend is still huge today and the late flowering narcissus like n. Cheerfulness, n. Yellow Cheerfulness, n. Geranium, and n. Bridal Crown are some of the most fragrant, longest stemmed, and latest to bloom.

Narcissus really do have so much to offer. Two of my favourite narcissus are n. Yellow Brick Road, a blend of early, mid- and late-season yellows that greatly extends the blooming season, and n. Reynfeld’s Early Sensation, the earliest narcissus to bloom. Depending on how mild the winter is, I have seen them beautify dark, chilly January days — a promise of spring well before its time.

Tulip bulbs are perhaps the most at risk from our rodent population. I would cover them all with a slightly wider mesh to not only protect them, but allow them to multiply and naturalize in place.

My favourites are the mini-botanical varieties. With bulbs the size of crocus they make a nice snack for those cute little squirrels so they also need to be protected with fine wire mesh covering and I would add some chives and mint as well.

The many families of tulips bloom in sequence, from the Greigiis, the Kaufmanniana single early and double early, the Triumphs, the Darwins, Darwin hybrid fringed, double Peony flowered, green flamed Viridifloras, and finally the lily-flowered and parrots. There are so many spectacular varieties out there, it is no secret that they are Canada’s number one cut flower in terms of numbers sold. Maybe splurge a little and pop just a few of the more spectacular varieties.

A special all natural, eco-friendly product called Bobbex, one we use on plants to deter deer and rabbits, is now available as Bobbex R. which is specifically formulated for rodents. Dip the bulbs in a solution of this and it will make a huge difference in the safety of your bulbs, especially tulips.

If you have never tried fritillarias before, plant few this year. They are not only unique and beautiful, but they, especially the fritillaria Crown Imperial, deter rodents as well.

Alliums have become the young gardeners’ dream plant because of their sheer size and the stunning round flower heads. They are outstanding pollinators as well. If you mix them with the newer perennial varieties, you can get them to bloom over most of the summer.

Don’t miss the opportunity this fall to spice up your garden with these fabulous spring flowering bulbs and don’t forget to protect them from the varmints.

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Rupert Jasper’s Inlay shelf looks assured: vivid blue, clean-lined and cleverly engineered. Its designer is more candid about the uncertainty that went into learning his craft.

There were plenty of days at Design Academy Eindhoven when Jasper felt completely lost. It was almost the point, he says:

“From day one, it’s kind of 100 per cent freedom, which is pretty daunting.”

From Deep Cove to Eindhoven

Jasper began closer to home at Langara College, where the two-year Design Formation program gave him a grounding in architecture, interiors, product design and other disciplines.

Product design was the one that stuck.

When the time came to continue his education, he had the option of Emily Carr University but decided to look further afield.

Design Academy Eindhoven offered a very different kind of experience, and Jasper’s German passport made studying in Europe more accessible.

“I felt like I had a bit of a golden ticket, and I thought I should really utilize this opportunity,” he says.

Eindhoven was less about being shown how to design and more about figuring out what kind of designer you wanted to become.

“You got to choose and craft your own education path,” Jasper says.

Tutors came from different disciplines and brought their own approaches. Jasper describes periods of uncertainty and identity crisis moments, but says learning to navigate that uncertainty has proved useful now that he is working professionally.

After graduating in 2025, he stayed in Europe for almost another 10 months, working with a couple of designers and taking on projects he enjoyed.

He could have stayed longer, but Vancouver was always the plan. “I really wanted to come back and work in Vancouver. It’s my home. I love it here.”

His route into ANDlight came with unusually good timing.

Jasper had previously met ANDlight co-founder Lukas Peet while trying to arrange an internship during his studies. The scheduling did not work out, but the connection remained.

About three weeks after returning to Vancouver, Jasper was downtown waiting to meet a friend for coffee when he stopped outside a showroom to look at a group of ANDlight fixtures.

Peet and ANDlight co-founder Caine Heintzman happened to walk up behind him. They were there to photograph the products.

The three chatted, Jasper mentioned he had just moved home, and later that day Peet emailed to say ANDlight was hiring in production.

“It was kind of a serendipitous moment,” he says.

Jasper spent about 10 months working on the production side before recently moving into the company’s design department as a junior product designer.

“I feel really fortunate,” he says.

More than a shelf

Alongside his work at ANDlight, Jasper’s been developing Inlay.

The system takes cues from mid-century wall-mounted shelving, with a pressed connector that adds strength and visual character.

This connection lets the shelving expand, contract and shift into different configurations, and Jasper is already considering how the same system could work for benches, tables and other furniture.

For IDS, Jasper finished the prototype in an almost electric blue.

Part of that was practical: he wanted it to stand out against the show’s white walls. Part of it was also a reaction to the region’s rather safer design palette.

“I find a lot of the furniture here in the Pacific Northwest is a lot of beige and softer colours, so I wanted to differentiate the piece,” he says.

Inlay was selected for the IDS Vancouver 2026 Prototype Judges Choice Award by Tanja Breadner of Marrimor Objects , David Keeler of Provide and Noah Morse of Sundays , in an exhibition curated by Kaito Forth .

The show also put Jasper in front of interior designers and architects — exactly the people who may eventually specify or work with pieces like his.

“To meet those kinds of people and to make those connections and hear what they’re looking for, what’s catching their eyes. That was really special,” he says.

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