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Summit Lake Ski Lodge, located in Nakusp, in the West Kootenay region of southeastern B.C., has served local families for more than sixty years. Built and cared for by volunteers, the lodge is part warming hut, part community hall and part memory bank for generations who learned to ski there.

This small but mighty lodge recently had a renovation focused on preserving the existing building and extending its life rather than replacing or reshaping it.

Instead of chasing a new look, the focus was on durability and long-term use. The team at Town Architecture led this project, finding ways to improve warmth and comfort in walls that were never designed to be insulated, rebuilding roof and deck structures to handle deep snow, and staging the work so the volunteer-run ski hill could remain open throughout construction.

Building on the good

For Jordan Jones, principal at Town Architecture , the value of the lodge was clear from the start.

“You could see the layers of adaptation — how the building had grown over time to meet changing needs. That kind of evolution carries meaning. It felt like something worth building on, not wiping away,” he says.

Since the early 1960s, the lodge has been expanded and altered in stages, each responding to immediate needs using the materials and skills available at the time. Rather than smoothing out those differences, the design team chose to learn from them.

“Once you understand how a place has evolved, it becomes something to work with rather than correct,” says Jones.

An unconventional structure

One of the lodge’s defining features is hidden within its walls. The original building was constructed using stacked lumber instead of standard framing, a practical solution shaped by local timber and hands-on building traditions.

“The stacked-lumber construction is unusual and not something you encounter often today,” says Jones. “Even though it isn’t exposed, understanding how it was built told us a lot about the building’s origins. It reflects a resourceful, hands-on approach shaped by available materials and community effort rather than convention.”

Improving comfort without changing the feel

Rather than altering the interior spaces people know so well, improvements were made from the outside. The work improves warmth and weather protection while leaving the familiar wood-lined interior untouched.

“Upgrading from the exterior allowed us to preserve the wood-lined interior that people closely associate with the lodge experience. That interior has a nostalgic feel for many — it’s part of what makes the place recognizable and inviting,” says Jones.

Working this way also helped keep the lodge in use.

“Working from the outside also helped us maintain usable space inside and kept disruptions to a minimum, which was critical to keeping the ski hill running during the winter,” he says.

Summit Lake Ski Lodge was never sleek or luxurious, and the renewal respects that.

“It helps to understand why people come here in the first place,” says Jones. “They’re not looking for a high-end resort experience — they come for the memories, the family-friendly feel, the location, and the unmistakable Kootenay character. Over-refining the space would have stripped away some of what makes it memorable.”

The result is a lodge that feels warmer and easier to use, without losing its familiar personality.

Built to handle the elements

Snow, moisture, and wildfire risk are part of everyday life in the region, and the renovation responds directly to these realities, says Jones.

“Durability meant choosing materials that could stand up to snow, moisture, and fire risk — but without making the building feel defensive. Metal cladding gave us that resilience, while timber and wood accents were used to bring back warmth and familiarity,” he says.

The final phase of work replaced the aging deck and roof, creating a more sheltered space that sits between indoors and out.

“In mountain settings, these in-between spaces are essential. They offer protection from the elements while still keeping you connected to the landscape. Whether you’re gearing up, catching your breath, or just taking in the view, these thresholds become part of the experience.”

Jones says he hopes the result of this renovation is that people experience a quiet invitation to step inside the lodge, linger a little longer and connect with the place. The more defined entrance was meant to give the building a sense of welcome and presence without shouting for attention, he says:

“We expect the building to age well now that it’s better protected from the elements. But just as important is how it ages emotionally. I hope the improvements make things easier for the people who work and volunteer there, and that it deepens the connection people already have with the place.”

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When Kortney Wilson last presented at the BC Home + Garden Show , odds are that the consummate house-flipper would have talked about renovations. This year she’ll be sharing tips on how to make your existing space more livable, which is the theme of her new Home Network show Life Is Messy.

“We’ve shifted from these really grand renovations — teardowns, rebuilds, add-ons — to going into houses and taking every item down to a pack of gum out of the house, and asking hard questions about how the family lives,” Wilson says. “It’s a much more humble process and really stripped down to what actually makes a home function. Life is messy, but your home doesn’t have to be.”

Wilson first gained fame as the co-host and lead designer of Masters of Flip, which ran for four seasons. She later co-starred in Making It Home for three seasons.

Born and raised in Ontario, Wilson moved to Nashville at 18 to pursue a career in country music before pivoting into real estate and design. Over the years she and her team have flipped well over 100 homes across the U.S.; today Wilson is also a realtor and entrepreneur with her own design line and real estate group.

In Life Is Messy, Wilson and her co-host Kenny Brain help eight families in the Toronto area rethink how they use their homes — from clutter and layout to daily routines. The series begins airing on Home Network April 9.

“Tidying up is the first step, but there is an art to it. Otherwise, everybody would do it. Having taken these families from A to Z over 10 days — yes, it’s on speed — I really want to empower people.”

Wilson cautions homeowners against getting caught up in trends.

“People forget to address how long they’re going to live in a house. Levelling up looks very different if you’re moving in two years versus staying for 20. Also, people forget the practical stuff — where shoes pile up, where clutter lands, where people actually gather. Those answers should shape the floor plan more than any trend.”

She also emphasizes considering resale value in renovation plans.

“I’ll walk into a renovated house and hear, ‘I don’t cook on an island,’ so they put in a tiny one — and I’ll say, ‘You may have just lost $50,000 when you sell.’ I look at this as both a designer and a realtor. I’ve been a realtor for 15 years in Nashville, and I often see buyers pass on homes because beauty isn’t there, even though practicality is.”

One of the appealing aspects of transforming your space, Wilson says, is that you don’t need to break the bank.

“I lead with my heart on Life Is Messy — motherhood, marriage, working from home. Most people don’t have $200,000 for a renovation, so the question becomes: can they still love their house? And the answer is yes. Last week, I helped a realtor friend who hated her living room. We moved furniture, created a focal point, reduced clutter — and didn’t spend a dime. Reducing clutter is the biggest roadblock. People see it on TV, but they’re not brave enough to do it.”

People hang onto stuff for various reasons, but one of the biggest is emotional attachment. Those three decades of Christmas cards in your closet, including the one from your mortgage broker? It might be time to dump them in the recycling bin.

“Our show addresses the North Star by asking, what are you really after? You’re not spending time with your family. There’s a never-ending pile of clutter. Well then let’s start small. Let’s start with one room or one closet, or one pantry. I am there to inspire. I am a doer.”

Wilson, who last presented at the BC Home + Garden Show in 2017, says she is looking forward to her return.

“I’m so excited. I always say if I wasn’t living in Nashville and moved to Canada, it would be Vancouver.”

She adds that she won’t be limiting her time meeting showgoers after her presentations.

“I love looking at people’s house photos and offering advice if I can.”

Kortney Wilson will be appearing on the Sleep Country Main Stage presented by Home Network and the Vancouver Sun Fri., March 13, at 6 p.m. and Sat., March 14, at 1 p.m.

The BC Home + Garden Show 2026 runs from March 12 to 15 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Find the Main Stage and Cooking Stage schedule, a rundown of features and workshops, plus show hours and tickets at bchomeandgardenshow.com

When it comes to wall decor, the usual go-tos are a new coat of paint, framed art, or wallpaper. But a mural can transform a room as well or better than any of the more obvious solutions.

Calgary-based artist Rachel Lyon has been painting murals for a decade. In that time, she’s seen business from commissioned residential work increase.

“The last three or so years has been increasingly busy,” she said. “Whether that’s because I’m growing my business or gaining a bit more notoriety, I’m not sure. I live in a city that really supports the arts and public art, so I think that helps as well.”

In Vancouver at least, exterior murals have been showcased in the annual Vancouver Mural Festival, which came to a close in 2025 after a nine-year run. A number of local artists and firms, including Natalie Way, Kim Hunter and Studio Muze, accept residential mural commissions.

Lyon finds that some people have to wrap their minds around the idea of a mural over more conventional home decor ideas.

“Sometimes, people are worried that they might change their mind, or outgrow it. Or they’re worried about resale value. But when I bought my house there were three kids-themed murals and we don’t have kids. We just sanded them, primed them, and painted over them. You would never know they were there. It really is just paint.”

Surprisingly, most of her residential work hasn’t been dinosaurs and clouds.

“I’ve done a few kids’ rooms, but I’ve done more powder rooms, guest rooms, living rooms — more adult-themed spaces. That might just be the style of my art. Some of my muralist peers do tons of kids’ rooms, so it’s definitely getting more popular with families.”

Her style tends towards “botanicals and nature elements — plants and flowers — but nothing too out there.”

Usually, her clients have some idea of what they want.

“Some will send over a Pinterest board or they have a colour palette in mind.”

Whether the client comes with their own ideas or not, the mural will be one-of-a-kind.

“Every client I take on gets a custom design. They don’t pick from a preset book of designs. I work with them on their inspiration and what they want, and they see everything mocked up digitally before I even touch the paint, so they have an idea of what they’re getting.”

It takes her about one to two days to paint 100 square feet.

“It depends on the level of detail. If it’s extra detailed, it’s going to take longer. If it’s simpler, it could be done in one day. Every artist is different, but that’s kind of the sweet spot for me.”

Whether on the street, in a lobby or in someone’s house, mural painting is usually done in public. She has got used to people watching her work.

“It was kind of strange at first, but I’ve grown to love it. Most people are so supportive and just genuinely curious. It definitely adds time when you’re painting in busy public places because people want to chat. Sometimes it’s a new business going in and people are curious about what’s happening in their neighbourhood. They just have questions.”

For those on the fence about hiring a muralist for their home, she notes that “It’s different than having a canvas on your wall. It’s something that sparks a feeling — usually joy. That’s why people want murals: something that makes them feel good. And it’s something you get to experience every day.”

For her appearance at the BC Home + Garden Show — her first, though she’s appeared at the Calgary and Edmonton editions — she’ll create a piece for a Vancouver non-profit. Two local artists, Susan Phan and Angel Kao, will help paint the piece, which will be on thin plywood so it’s portable and can be easily applied to a wall.

At the time of this writing, Lyon wasn’t yet sure what the subject will be, though she has some ideas.

“Knowing me, it will be something home-and-garden inspired. Spring’s coming, so probably something florally that gives that ‘we’re over winter’ vibe.”

The BC Home + Garden Show 2026 runs from March 12 to 15 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Find the Main Stage and Cooking Stage schedule, a rundown of features and workshops, plus show hours and tickets at bchomeandgardenshow.com

Whether you’re thinking about revamping your home decor or backyard, or looking for easy DIY upgrades or a little culinary inspiration, there will be something for you at this year’s BC Home + Garden Show .

The event, set to run from March 12 to 15 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, will feature more than 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest in home improvement, design, and landscaping, including Art’s Nursery Garden Retail Market, and so much more.

“We are excited to bring the show back to Vancouver this year and look forward to stepping into a new location at the Vancouver Convention Centre,” says Marketplace Events show coordinator Madelyne Lemieux. “It will be packed with inspiration and expertise for anyone looking to transform their home and garden.

“One of the main attractions is the Sleep Country Main Stage, presented by Home Network and The Vancouver Sun. This is where attendees can hear directly from industry experts, covering everything from renovations to design trends and smart home solutions.”

Included in the Main Stage lineup is real estate expert, designer and TV host Kortney Wilson from Life Is Messy on Home Network. She will be presenting Designed to Stay, Styled to Sell: Life Is Messy, But Your Home Doesn’t Have to Be.”

Also on the Main Stage are renovation expert and TV host Adam Weir and custom home builder and renovator, My House Design/Build Team’s Graeme Huguet.

Horticulturalist Egan Davis will take to the stage to talk about new and fun gardening trends.

Maybe you are a budding muralist looking to test your creativity on large-scale canvases? If so, you are in luck. For her first time at the show, Calgary-based muralist and illustrator Rachel Lyon delivers Paint with Purpose: a live mural project curated by Lyon.

“I’m bringing two muralist friends of mine, Susan Phan and Angel Kao, to help me out,” says Lyon. “Once the mural is finished, we will donate it to a Vancouver-based charity.”

Lyon is mulling ideas for a bright, colourful botanical composition. Attendees are invited to ask questions while Lyon, along with Phan and Kao, paint for up to six hours a day.

John Cowie, retail manager at Art’s Nursery, will be on hand to motivate any green thumb out there. Whether you are a seasoned gardener, a curious beginner, or simply want to learn more about growing your own vegetable garden, Cowie is there to provide information, tips and advice.

“I get a lot of questions from homeowners wanting to know how to create separation from their neighbours,” says Cowie. “I will give tips for choosing the best trees and shrubs, like deciduous trees that filter light, or small multi-season space trees, like the eastern redbud, stewartia and Japanese maple, that possess gorgeous fall colours.”

Another must-see show attraction is the Cooking Stage. Chefs like Chef Bruno Feldeisen from The Great Canadian Baking Show, as well Carissa Kasper of Seed & Nourish and Harris Sakalis, executive chef at Fairmont Waterfront, will take to the stage to demonstrate culinary techniques, highlight food trends and inspire home cooks.

“Food lovers won’t want to miss the Cooking Stage. This is where things will really heat up, with live demos and seminars from some of Vancouver’s most respected chefs,” says Lemieux. “Expect insider tips, hot dining trends and plenty of inspiration for your next meal — plus a few tasty surprises along the way.”

Attendees can also glean Power Smart solutions to save on home energy costs at the BC Hydro Learning Centre or shop till you drop at The Collective Markets, a curated market showcasing local artisans, and peruse one-of-a-kind pieces of local art at the Art Market (formerly M(ART)ket).

As housing trends shift, the show offers a look at the latest in cost-saving renovation solutions, sustainable home designs and new approaches to multi-functional living spaces.

B.C. prefabricated home builder Hewing Haus will showcase its newest model on the show floor that visitors can explore.

“With the rising cost of living, we’re seeing a big interest in small-scale vacation homes, rental suite conversions and energy-efficient upgrades — our exhibitors and speakers reflect that demand,” says Lemieux.

The BC Home + Garden Show 2026 runs from March 12 to 15 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Find the Main Stage and Cooking Stage schedule, a rundown of features and workshops, plus show hours and tickets at bchomeandgardenshow.com

When it comes to choosing art for their home, many people get it backwards, says artist Donna Giraud.

“Art shouldn’t be the last thing that you choose,” she said. “Art is something you can base your style around.”

A veteran of the Art Market (formerly M(ART)ket) at the BC Home + Garden Show , Giraud is returning to the art show-within-a-show for at least the tenth time.

The market spotlights local artists offering canvases, prints and photography for home decor inspiration. LM Designs, Heart of Fire and Ashes, Theresa Eaton Art, Dana Mooney Art and Mahla Zolghadri will also be in attendance.

Giraud describes her work as abstract and textural.

“People want to see things in art, and a lot of people see landscapes when they look at my work,” she said. “I’m from the Pacific Northwest, and that influence comes out in the shapes and colours.”

In recent years, she has expanded into photography, selling close-up images of details from her paintings. The result is work that is more abstract — and more accessible — with prints available at a lower price point.

Most of her sales come from people who first encounter her work at events like the BC Home + Garden Show.

“They usually just buy them off the wall,” she said. “If they’re not confident, they’ll pick their five favourites and I’ll bring them to their house and we try on the artwork. If that doesn’t work, I’ll do a custom piece.”

Roughly 70 per cent of her buyers live in detached homes and townhouses, though condo dwellers make up a growing share.

“With condos, there are fewer walls,” she said. “In Vancouver there’s lots of glass, lots of windows, and smaller footprints.”

That makes scale especially important.

“You’re kind of beholden to the shape and size of your walls, but even small pieces can be super impactful,” she said. “I have one in my bathroom, and it just makes the room.”

When hanging art, Giraud recommends giving it room to breathe — on both sides, and above and below — and resisting the urge to hang it too high.

If placement feels uncertain, she suggests taping out the dimensions on the wall.

“That gives you a real sense of how the piece will look,” she said. “People often realize they could actually go bigger. Mapping out your walls is a really good trick.”

After a decade of Home Shows, Giraud says she has heard it all, from requests for family portraits to comments like “my five-year-old could paint better than that.”

But the show still delivers moments that make it worthwhile.

“You hear someone say, ‘Holy crap, this piece of art is amazing,’” she said. “And then you get to put it on their wall.”

The BC Home + Garden Show 2026 runs from March 12 to 15 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Find the Main Stage and Cooking Stage schedule, a rundown of features and workshops, plus show hours and tickets at bchomeandgardenshow.com

Work by local makers and artisans is in the spotlight at this year’s BC Home + Garden Show .

Visitors to the show will have a chance to check out handmade jewelry, ceramics, clothing, artisanal food and drink, paper goods, and more, while also meeting the people behind the products — makers like Carol-Lee Campbell.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have been given the opportunity to showcase my work at the BC Home + Garden Show this year,” said Campbell, who makes stoneware under the name Campbell Original Pottery.

“One of the things I love most about running this small business is getting to meet my fellow community members and customers at markets and events like this.”

Campbell fashions her small-batch, wheel-thrown pottery in her home studio in Walnut Grove, Langley. She says that most of her work is functional while “meant to embody the warmth and simplicity of rock, water, earth.”

Meeting the makers is one of the feature attractions of the market, says Caitlyn Domijan.

“Supporting small businesses and meeting the person that you’re supporting are so invaluable right now,” Domijan said.

Domijan, along with her Collective Markets partners Jessica Hailstone and Meghan Railton, have been curating artisanal markets since 2018. They run about 75 market dates a year, but the upcoming Vancouver Convention Centre appearance marks their first BC Home + Garden Show. The Collective Markets is replacing Got Craft. 

They selected 20 or so vendors from their database based on what they thought would work best at the show, she says.

“There’ll be something for everybody, including kids and dogs. But then there’s also going to be a big base of home decor.”

Along with Campbell, vendors include Salt Spring Island-based Jorge Izaza, who crafts light fixtures from wood; granola maker Flak’d Foods, run by Vancouver nutritionist Samantha Stojkovich; Premium Hot Chocolate Choices, owned by Vancouver husband-and-wife team Bonnie Duncan and Timm Rittberg; and fancycuppa, owned by Surrey-based Kati Kuo. The latter sells specialty grade instant decaf coffee.

For Campbell, direct connection with customers is at the heart of why she continues to show her work in person.

“It’s such a honour when someone spends their hard-earned money on a piece I’ve made with my own hands,” the potter said.

“I love to hear the story of who the item will be gifted to or where they intend to put the piece in their home. And I absolutely adore visiting with my repeat customers who continue to support me and come out to markets to pick up more pieces! It warms my heart and I am just ever so grateful. I really look forward to this show so that I can meet more potential customers and make new friends.”

The BC Home + Garden Show 2026 runs from March 12 to 15 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Find the Main Stage and Cooking Stage schedule, a rundown of features and workshops, plus show hours and tickets at bchomeandgardenshow.com

At BC Hydro’s interactive booth this year, the emphasis will be on energy efficiency.

With weather extremes becoming more common, managing heating systems and electrical usage is top of mind for many British Columbians. The good news is that homeowners and renters aren’t powerless in the face of extreme heat or cold. Small, practical changes — many of them low-cost or no-cost — can significantly reduce energy use without sacrificing comfort or safety.

One thing people can do is stop relying too heavily on thermostats — and setting them higher than necessary.

“Many people use their thermostat quite liberally instead of setting it to the correct temperatures,” BC Hydro spokesperson Susie Rieder said. “If you are sleeping or away from the home, we recommend 16 degrees Celsius as a temperature during the winter. If you’re home or active during the day, we recommend 18 to 21 degrees Celsius.”

Programmable thermostats, now far more affordable than they once were, can take the guesswork out of managing indoor temperatures.

Another frequent issue is wasting heat by warming unused spaces.

“Many people tend to heat their whole home, especially if they have electric baseboards. But really you only need to heat the rooms that you use. If you rarely go into the basement, turning off the heat in the basement and keeping doors closed to retain warmth is something that you can do.”

Simple maintenance can also pay off. Sealing gaps and cracks around windows and doors helps prevent heat loss and keeps warm air inside during cold snaps.

Summer brings its own challenges, particularly during heat waves when air conditioners work overtime. BC Hydro’s advice focuses on keeping heat out of the home in the first place.

“Closing the drapes and blinds so shading your windows can block up to 65 per cent of the heat,” Rieder said. “Shutting doors and windows if the temperature outside is warmer than inside helps keep the cooler air in and the warmer air out.”

Since the early 2000s, BC Hydro has been promoting ENERGY STAR — certified products as part of its Power Smart conservation strategy. To qualify, a product typically must perform in the top 15 to 25 per cent of its category for energy efficiency at the time the specification is set.

An ENERGY STAR — certified window air conditioner is twice as energy efficient as portable units, Rieder said.

Visitors to BC Hydro’s booth at the BC Home + Garden Show can also learn more about the benefits of electric vehicles, electric heat pumps that provide both heating and cooling, and ENERGY STAR — rated windows.

Smaller household choices can also make a difference. For instance, reheating food in a microwave requires less power than using a stovetop or oven.

Beyond day-to-day habits, BC Hydro says some customers may benefit from newer, optional electricity rate structures designed to reflect different lifestyles.

The flat rate offers a single, steady price regardless of how much electricity is used.

“It’s the average between our tier one and tier two levels of pricing. This is great if you use a lot of electricity, like if you have a bigger home that’s electrically heated.”

Time-of-day pricing, meanwhile, rewards flexibility.

“It’s essentially cheaper overnight and more expensive during the evening rush,” Rieder said. “That can be great if you work shift work, or if you’re home during the day and you want to do some laundry during the day.”

Many energy-saving strategies apply equally to older homes, newer builds, condos and detached houses.

“Doing things like taking shorter showers and cooking with smaller appliances can save energy and keep the heat down, especially in hot summer months — using like your slow cooker or your air fryer instead of heating up with an oven.”

Laundry habits also matter. Energy waste happens even before the tumbling.

“You’d be surprised — about 80 per cent of a clothes washer’s energy goes into heating the water,” Rieder said. “Washing in cold and investing in soap that’s great for cold water can save quite a bit.”

For lower-income households, BC Hydro offers free energy-saving kits that include LED light bulbs, weather stripping and high-efficiency shower heads.

“Those small things, especially in condos and apartments, can make a big difference,” Rieder said.

With heat waves and cold snaps placing increasing strain on household budgets, BC Hydro hopes its BC Home + Garden Show booth will help homeowners and renters see how small actions can make a measurable difference.

The BC Home + Garden Show 2026 runs from March 12 to 15 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Find the Main Stage and Cooking Stage schedule, a rundown of features and workshops, plus show hours and tickets at bchomeandgardenshow.com

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

8 Creekstone Pl., Port Moody

Type: Four-bedroom, five-bathroom detached

Size: 4,819 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $2,520,000

Listed for: $2,999,900

Sold for: $3,798,000

Sold on: Dec. 19

Days on market in this listing: 11

Listing agent: Jaden Narduzzi PREC and Jordon Sutton PREC at Angell Hasman & Associates Realty

Buyers agent: Rebecca Permack PREC at Royal LePage Sterling Realty

The big sell: The sale of this four-bedroom detached house in Port Moody’s Heritage Mountain produced competing bids that prompted the final sale figure to achieve almost $800,000 over the listed price. The appeal to purchasers? A bespoke luxury home that was built in 2020 on an exclusive greenbelt lot on a cobblestoned cul-de-sac. The custom-built home was designed with contemporary sophistication in mind with clean lines and attention to detail. It features an open-concept living space enhanced by a seamless indoor/outdoor flow topped off by serene forest vistas, radiant heat, air conditioning, a floating staircase with a glass balustrade, a high-calibre Miele-appointed kitchen, ensuited bedrooms including a lavish primary retreat, a gym, sauna, steam shower, and entertainment lounge. For even more relaxation, there is a putting green, hot tub, and a low-maintenance landscaped garden.

1305 — 4465 Juneau St., Burnaby

Type: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment

Size: 878 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $796,000

Listed for: $769,900

Sold for: $749,000

Sold on: Nov. 12

Days on market in this listing: 107

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

Buyers agent: Han Lee PREC at Ocean City Realty

The big sell: Juneau by Amacon is a residential development constructed in the heart of Brentwood in 2020. The 147-unit tower comprises one, two, and three-bedroom homes that enjoy amenities such as a fully-equipped gym, a yoga room, party lounge, and courtyard garden. This particular suite is a corner unit and comes with air conditioning, a south-west-facing aspect, and panoramic city and mountain views. The bright interior has high ceilings, a sleek kitchen with premium appliances, modern bathrooms, and a spacious balcony. Numerous amenities are nearby including a SkyTrain station, The Amazing Brentwood shopping centre, grocery stores, and eateries, as well as highway access. The home comes with a parking stall, storage locker, and a monthly maintenance fee of $700.00. Pets and rentals are permitted with restrictions.

1102 — 590 Nicola St., Vancouver

Type: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment

Size: 1,440 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $2,241,000

Listed for: $2,528,000

Sold for: $2,490,000

Sold on: Nov. 5

Days on market in this listing: 123

Listing agent: Leo Zhang PREC at Sincere Real Estate Services and Holly Calderwood PREC at Royal LePage Sussex

Buyers agent: Jessica Smith PREC at ReMax Select Realty

The big sell: A front-row waterfront position is just one of the highlights of the Cascina tower in downtown Vancouver’s upscale Coal Harbour district. Taking full advantage of that is this two-bedroom-plus-den condo that features not only unobstructed panoramic ocean, mountain, and marina vistas but a 615-square-foot wraparound partly-covered terrace garden that, according to the listing agents, is exclusive only to this floor. Furthermore, this has a built-in irrigation system and outdoor access from both bedrooms as well as from the living room. Back inside, there are cherry hardwood floors, two separate eating areas, a gas fireplace, air conditioning, heated tile floors in the bathrooms, and Sub-Zero and Bosch appliances. Cascina offers 24-hour concierge services, a gym, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna/steam room, and amenity rooms. This unit comes with two parking stalls, a storage locker, and a monthly maintenance fee of $1,451.26.

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

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

For more detailed mortgage information, explore our guide to Canada’s lowest national insured and uninsured mortgage rates, updated daily. Related

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“My parents gave me the art problem, by the way,” laughs Annaliesse Kelly. For the founder and principal of AK Design , collecting art has never been about matching trends. It’s about choosing what you love and letting the rest fall into place.

It’s the same philosophy that guided a recent loft renovation in Yaletown for clients who didn’t want a cookie-cutter condo. The clients, a professional couple new to the city, were looking to transform their 1,479-square-foot home into something that highlighted their extensive art collection and clean esthetic with hints of mid-century modern and European influence. Despite character features like an exposed brick wall and a glass garage-style window, the unit’s long, narrow layout and early-2000s finishes no longer suited their lifestyle or tastes. So, drawing on her art “problem,” Kelly and her team redesigned the main living spaces to feel more airy, functional and cohesive.

Starting with the kitchen, the team opened up the space by eliminating impractical upper storage, updating lighting and adding light oak cabinetry and gas burners integrated into the countertop. The original design, with dark wood tones and a smaller island, wasn’t functional for their client who loves to cook. The new five-foot island includes built-in shelving and rows of drawers. “There’s a lot more clearly defined storage for specific things where you need them,” says Kelly. And though it might seem counterintuitive, enlarging the island made the room feel more spacious. “By putting in a large island, you show the amount of space you actually have,” she explains.

Still, it’s the island’s green-toned countertop with subtle red veining that stands out most. “They have a beautiful collection of art,” says Kelly. “So [the client] always wanted some coloured stone.” After reviewing several options, the team chose Esmeralda quartzite for its translucent finish and how it plays off the home’s exposed brick. “The rust and the Esmeralda quartzite look so beautiful together because they bring out each other’s colours,” she says.

While the green stone ties into artwork throughout the home, the decision was ultimately personal. “She fell in love with it,” says Kelly. “They have quite a few landscape pieces of art that had some beautiful greens in it, but it was more about her emotional reaction.”

The quartzite also wraps down to the island’s drawer faces, adding weight and presence. “It was a beautiful way to carry it down and give the island some substance,” says Kelly. To balance the richer stone, wood and brick textures, the team opted for epoxy concrete floors. “If it was all Esmeralda, it would be too much,” she adds. The grout-free concrete forms a seamless, neutral base that draws the eye upward. “We wanted a smooth foundation for everything else to shine,” says Kelly.

In the living and dining areas, Kelly’s team carried through that same eye for balance — this time blending cherished furniture with contemporary touches. The dining nook was originally sketched with a banquette before the clients found a set of vintage rosewood chairs. “They bought these chairs, and they’re so gorgeous,” says Kelly. “So we worked around the chairs.”

The team reshaped the space around them, layering in a Lock & Mortice dining table, antique mirror and a ceiling painted in the same green as the quartzite.

Tucked beside the garage-style window, the nook is built for entertaining, sunlight and flexibility. “There’s room to add more pieces and furniture if they want,” says Kelly. “The dining room is really about lack of clutter, giving them that space to grow over time.”

In the adjacent living room, heirloom pieces — an Eames chair, leather sofa and vintage lounge chair — are paired with sheer drapery and Flos suspended pendant lamps. “We brought the sheers in to soften light,” says Kelly. “The sofa, chair and armchair were all pieces that [the clients] had before, so [it was about making] that eclectic vibe fit with the new kitchen.”

Along the brick wall, custom oak millwork conceals the original fireplace while providing storage and a ledge for art. On display is a new piece: a painting by Rowan Paton, acquired by the couple during the renovation. Its green tones echo the kitchen and dining area, but Kelly notes that wasn’t the point: “Art is, more than anything else in your home, about triggering an emotional response.”

When it comes to incorporating art, Kelly says there’s no need to overthink it. “Trust your gut and buy what you want,” she says. “Then it’s easy for it to be cohesive because you have a specific taste.” Even if those tastes evolve over time.

“The things you love are generally always going to work together,” she explains. “Who cares if other people like it?” She gestures to her own collection. “They’re all about how they make you feel. They don’t match. One’s very traditional, one’s modern. But they go together because they are me.”

Interior design: AK Design

Contractor: Woodvalley Projects Inc.

Vancouver industrial designer Annaka Hoelk, of Annaka Hoelk Studio , has clarity on what she wants to do — make products people want to have around them. Her work is contemporary, architectural and grounded in an understanding of how people actually live with objects.

Starting small, thinking big

Graduating from Emily Carr University in 2023, Hoelk says she always knew she wanted to have her own company designing furniture and home goods and decided to give it a go while she was young.

“There’s a great quote from Jim Carrey that goes something like ‘you can fail at something you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love’,” she says.

Her earliest work focused on larger furniture pieces, but the realities of starting a small business quickly shaped her direction. She shifted her focus to smaller home goods, finding them as creatively fulfilling as larger work, and as a small business, easier to produce.

“I would describe my work as a contemporary and efficient take on classic goods,” says Hoelk. “I like to work with simple, architectural shapes, referencing modernist design history, while reimagining the basic building blocks of everyday objects.”

Her first product, the Nook vase, launched in October last year and sells through her website, Provide Home and Walrus Home. At first glance, people might not realise it’s a flower vase, but it achieves the function of a vase far better than your typical big box retailer vase does, she says.

“It’s designed to hold flowers upright, help the user make a dynamic composition, create visual interest with its frosted material, and most importantly, celebrate and frame the flower.”

The Nook vase asks people to slow down, notice proportion, light and placement, and to interact rather than simply fill it, says Hoelk.

Creativity in her blood

For Hoelk, design is a continuation of her upbringing:

“I come from a very creative and entrepreneurial family. My grandparents were an architect and interior designer, they founded Burgers Architecture . My mum is artist Bobbie Burgers, my sister went into fashion and just founded her brand Leny, out of London.”

That environment made a creative career feel not only possible, but necessary. “It didn’t really occur to me that I could be fulfilled by a non-creative pursuit.”

Industrial design, specifically, appealed to both her temperament and her thinking, she says. Knowing herself to have a “very structured brain,” and be something of an A-type personality.

“I liked the scale of industrial design. Architecture felt too large and abstract, and is actually 90 per cent about bylaws and building codes,” she says. “I like that products and furniture are things people interact at a very human scale, they have a direct correlation to the body.”

The constraints and opportunities of being based in Vancouver

There are some very cool design companies based in Vancouver, but it’s a small industry overall, she says. Distance from global design centres can make visibility harder, which pushed her toward self-production and self-marketing early on.

“I love this city and I truly believe we have the ability to become a relevant design hub if we foster this industry,” says Hoelk. “We already have a lot of the building blocks: a well-regarded design school creating new talent, key companies that have become internationally recognized, a city people want to live in with a unique blend of outdoor and city influences.”

This passion for both design and Vancouver took form last year through Obj: Obj, a group exhibition Hoelk co-curated with designer and artist Nolan Talbot-Kelly.

“We presented a cross-section of the city’s contemporary furniture, lighting and objects, unified under the curatorial question of how an idea becomes a final design,” she says.

Designers paired finished works with the objects or concepts that inspired them, revealing process as much as product. A chair inspired by a dried squid, for example, a vase by a sake bottle.

“The Vancouver design scene was hungry for something like this. The exhibition returns this year from Sept. 25 to 27 and will be open to the public at no cost.”

Looking ahead

Hoelk is candid about the challenges of pricing, manufacturing and scale, but she frames them as creative constraints rather than barriers. She is preparing to launch two new products this spring and has collaborations underway, including one with local brand Homecoming Candles .

“I definitely want Annaka Hoelk Studio to grow into the type of brand that feels directed but also dynamic,” says Hoelk. “Collaborations and cross-pollination with other creatives are the type of projects that keep things new and most importantly, fun.”

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Thinking of opening up your home for short-term rental during the FIFA World Cup 2026? Here’s what to consider before you do.

With one of the biggest sporting events coming to the city , Vancouver is sure to see a surge of visitors in June. Balance that with the shortage of accommodations available, and there seems to be an obvious opportunity for homeowners. Many Vancouverites are considering skipping town during the event, freeing up their homes for income-earning opportunities, but are the pitfalls worth the potential payoff?

If you’ve never rented out your home before, the World Cup definitely presents a tempting opportunity, but rookie mistakes can cost you. As a first-time host, here’s what you’ll want to consider before listing your home for short-term rental during this global event.

Rules and regulations: What you need to know before you list

Unfortunately in Vancouver, short-term rentals are no longer as easy as click to list. Instead, a time-consuming, two-tiered approach has been enforced. Hosts must now comply with both City of Vancouver bylaws, and B.C.’s provincial short-term rental legislation, which now includes an annual registration with the B.C. Short-Term Rental Registry — yes, even if you only plan to list once.

There are also Vancouver-specific limitations on what can be legally listed. The space for rent must be your principal residence — the one where you live, pay bills and receive mail. Homeowners and tenants (with the landlord’s permission) may rent out an entire home or a room in the principal residence for stays for less than 90 consecutive days at a time, but vacant investment properties, secondary suites and laneway homes are not allowed to be rented out on a short-term basis, unless the host lives in that unit. Strata residents must also have approval from their strata.

Licensing costs and considerations

Licensing is required, but it comes at a cost. A City of Vancouver short-term rental business licence is required, which includes a $77 one-time application fee, plus a pro-rated annual fee of $1,108 — a fee which was recently increased to support the operating costs of the City’s short-term rental program. Additional revenues above program costs contributes to the City’s general operating budget to help balance the budget and fund City services that benefit businesses.

If you’re thinking of skirting these tight laws, you may want to think again. In 2025, around 150 violation tickets were issued for not holding a proper licence in Vancouver, and 271 licences were suspended due to non-compliance. Operating without a valid licence or renting a space that isn’t your principal residence can result in city fines of up to $1,000 (per offense) and can also result in the listing being removed from online platforms. Continued non-compliance may result in the matter being referred to the City Prosecutor. Monetary penalties under the provincial legislation can be significantly higher, with fines of up to $500 to $10,000 per day, depending on the rule broken.

While the combined City and provincial licensing fees can add up to roughly $1,200, the potential earnings during the World Cup could far outweigh the costs. Premium downtown rentals are currently averaging around $1,000 per night, meaning even a few nights booked could cover your fees and then some. Setting up your listing may take some effort, but for first-time hosts, the payoff could make it well worth your time.

A step-by-step guide for first-time hosting

If you’re still interested in hosting short-term rentals in your home, here’s a step-by-step guide on what you need to do. First, check to make sure you meet all of the eligibility requirements: If you’re the homeowner, make sure the space you’re looking to rent out is in your primary residence, and if you’re a long-term tenant, ensure you have a signed letter from your landlord to confirm their approval. Review this list to ensure you meet all safety and compliance standards. Then, apply online for your rental licence, and pay the required fees.

If you reside outside of the City of Vancouver, check websites for other Metro Vancouver municipalities for each area’s eligibility and licensing requirements.

Once those steps are complete, be sure to also register provincially as a host . A fee of $100 per year for a short-term rental in which the host lives, and $450 per year if the host doesn’t reside in the space, such as a secondary suite or laneway home, will be applied for approval. Once you’re ready to list, be sure to include your licence numbers in the listing, and post a paper copy in the rental unit. While it’s not mandatory, you may also want to consider securing adequate business insurance for your property.

Is there time to list a short-term rental for World Cup 2026?

Listing your property during the World Cup is still possible, but you’ll need to move fast. Start the application process at least four to eight weeks before you want your listing live, and aim to have everything ready by early May 2026. With B.C. Place and downtown hot spots expecting a flood of fans, getting your property listed by then is your best shot at turning the event into a profitable hosting opportunity.

When Lorne Segal was developing the 12-storey Kingswood residential tower in the heart of South Granville 25 years ago, he never imagined his parents, billionaire businessman and philanthropist Joe and his wife Rosalie, would ultimately call one of the best of the building’s 18 units, the West Estate , home. Having sold their five-bedroom, 12-bathroom, 22,000-square-foot Point Grey house for $42 million in 2021, the couple wanted luxury on a smaller scale, but not condo-small.

“My parents were certain they would never live in a typical highrise,” says Segal, president of Kingswood Properties Ltd. “What they valued most about the Kingswood was that it was conceived not as a conventional condominium, but as a limited-edition residential work — closer in spirit to a private estate than to typical multi-family housing. It preserved the essence of their former home: privacy, dignity and beauty, but in a more manageable form.”

Derek Grech, founder of West Vancouver realtors The Partners and listing agent for the unit, says, “As they were aging, (the Segals) were looking for something that was lock-up-and-go and had an elevator. They bought it for around $5 million and spent almost the same amount renovating the entire 4,100 square feet, from the sinks to the chandeliers. The building itself is such a beautiful structure — every trade that was involved in building the Kingswood has used it as a portfolio highlight on how to properly build a building in the city.”

While studying law at Oxford, Segal says he was influenced by England’s traditional architecture and later by then Prince Charles’ book A Vision of Britain, which, he says, “articulated principles I found myself instinctively agreeing with — human scale, proportion, craftsmanship, and a belief that buildings should age gracefully and enrich daily life.”

Years after completing the Kingswood, he met Prince Charles in Vancouver, who was flattered that Segal had read his book and that it had influenced the building. Segal, in turn, sent the Prince his own book about the building, called The Kingswood, which prompted an invitation to dine with the Prince at Buckingham Palace, where they talked “about architecture and the responsibility of the built environment,” says Segal. “While the Kingswood was never ‘endorsed’ (by King Charles) in a formal sense, it was profoundly meaningful to see the ideas that shaped it recognized in such a personal way.”

What’s inside

Occupying one of only two main-floor units, Joe and Rosalie, who lived in the Kingswood for a relatively short period before Joe died in 2022 and Rosalie a year later, had the option of entering the home through intricately carved gates and past a 24-hour concierge in the lobby, or through their private, three-car lower-level garage.

The elegant main living area is awash in natural light thanks to tinted curved windows that stretch up to the 18- foot high ceiling — the largest curved glass job in North America at the time. A black Italian marble fireplace mantel, designed by local stone specialists Marble Art, warms the bright, expansive room. The antique European chandelier was purchased in 2015 for US$135,000. In fact, all the unit’s light fixtures are custom-made from Italy.

In the dining room, a hand-painted ceiling and wall treatment in metallic background depicts fruit trees and floral vines, designed by decorative art specialists at Gorman Studios in Vancouver to resemble silk crépon. Double doors open from the dining room onto a 5,500-square-foot outdoor patio and green space filled with flowering trees and shrubbery, ideal for outdoor entertaining and gardening.

“The garden was central to their daily life,” says Segal. “From the moment one entered the residence, the view opened to a private, expansive garden roughly the size of a city lot. Wherever they sat — living room, dining area, or kitchen — they were visually connected to greenery. It became the emotional centre of the home.”

A library/sitting room that could also double as an office or den features custom-designed, built-in cabinetry by North Vancouver’s Ernest Collins Architect, which pays homage to legendary furniture designer Chippendale. The Georgian-style oval medallions in the panels are made from rare woods, including ebony.

The kitchen features granite countertops and appliances by Wolf, including the microwave oven and a six-burner stove with griddle. The 48-inch wide side-by-side refrigerator-freezer and wine cooler were made by Sub-Zero, as was a 150-200 bottle wine cooler in the basement. The high-end steel dishwasher is by Swedish company ASKO Appliances. Cabinetry comes courtesy of V6B design group in Vancouver, and the herringbone floor pattern is made of solid oak parquet.

A separate restaurant-style chef’s prep kitchen with commercial walk-in fridge and freezer in the basement “allowed for catered events to occur discreetly without intruding on the main living spaces,” says Segal. However, he says, by the time his parents moved in, entertaining was no longer to the extent it was when they hosted larger functions for fundraising and other social events from their earlier years.

The renovations, which spanned two years, also reconfigured the original four-bedroom layout into three bedrooms to create a larger primary suite. “Finishes were refined, details sharpened, and materials upgraded, but always in keeping with the original architectural language of the building,” says Segal.

The primary bedroom features two separate dressing rooms and en suites with 24-karat gold-plated fixtures by Phylrich in California, as well as a custom-etched sink design with double glass and gold leaf underlay. A wall covering with a metallic silver background and hand-painted trees with flowers was designed by Gorman Studios. Shower walls are made of marble and glass tiles with gold leaf backing. Mirror artwork on the suite’s two bathrooms features the ancient decorative art of reverse glass painting called eglomise, designed by Gorman Studios.

Carpeting throughout the home is designed and custom-made of 50/50 wool and silk, with the exception of the primary bedroom’s wall-to-wall, which is 25/75 wool and silk.

The bronze-accented staircase leads to an upper balcony with gold-plated baluster and railings custom-designed by Ernest Collins Architect. The private elevator, whose doors feature chinoiserie, the European imitation of Chinese artistry, a combination of traditional and contemporary Chinese and Japanese design lacquer work, also by Gorman Studios, connects the two floors as well as the garage.

During renovations, Grech says, the Segals added “several Tesla generating panels in the garage, so if the block lost power their unit would still be self-sufficient.”

Segal says that when he first conceived the Kingswood, even though he never thought his parents would someday call it home, he did have people like them in mind. “People who cared deeply about privacy, proportion, craftsmanship and permanence, and who were unwilling to compromise on those values. Over the years, many others chose the Kingswood for precisely those reasons. But when my parents ultimately chose it as their final home — decades after the idea first took shape — it carried a meaning that was entirely personal. It wasn’t about validation; it was about seeing the Kingswood through the eyes of the most discerning people I knew. In that moment, it felt like a long and demanding journey had come full circle.”

In the neighbourhood

“It’s a quiet South Granville neighbourhood with a bit of liveliness to it,” says Grech, with coffee shops, banks and grocery stores in nearby Granville Street and Kitsilano. “Across the street is the Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club. Some people like the fact that Vancouver General Hospital is close, and the airport is close.”

And while there are many schools nearby, Grech says, “I don’t think it (would appeal to) a family with young children, they would want a (bigger) home, unless it was a family from New York or L.A. used to living in condos. The people we’ve shown it to have been 60-year-old couples downsizing from their bigger houses. People who want to sell their house in Shaughnessy but still feel like they’re living in Shaughnessy but with an easier lock-up-and-go approach.”

Location: 1b — 1596 W. 14th Avenue, Vancouver

Listed for: $9,800,000

Year built: 2001

Type: Three bedrooms, six bathrooms

Size: 4,181 sq ft townhouse

Realtor: Listed by Derek Grech, The Partners Real Estate

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In a world where we are seeing more anxiety and loneliness, a small gift of flowers really lifts spirits and can brighten someone’s day. With Valentine’s Day just a week away now, it is a golden opportunity to share a little love and thoughtfulness within our circle of family, friends and even acquaintances.

Flowers, either as cut bouquets or potted plants, bring colour, fragrance and the promise of the season to come. There are so many options from which to choose right now that your biggest challenge will be finding the one that will resonate most with those closest to you.

Over the past few years, we have seen a shift in folks looking to add more colour and vibrance to their gardens, and it’s understandable why. Colour is uplifting, energetic and positive, so why not incorporate this trend into your Valentine’s gift? Cut tulips are the No. 1 cut flower in Canada and are especially popular this time of year. They come in an array of colours, from pink to orange and white to purple. When mixed with fragrant hyacinths, iris and daffodils, they are hard to beat as a symbol of spring and their riot of colour will surely generate a smile.  

We are fortunate to have a number of B.C. growers producing world-class cut flowers, both for our local markets and for export. Roses, gerberas, orchid stems, lisianthus, snapdragons, chrysanthemums, oriental and Asiatic lilies, alstroemeria, tulips, daffodils, iris, stocks and more are all produced in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley and on Vancouver Island. Should your Valentine appreciate shopping local, it will be easy to gift them with something grown nearby.  

Is your Valentine’s happy place their garden? The selection of growing gifts, which gardeners love to receive, is truly amazing right now, and it’s incredibly diverse.  

Spring bulbs usually top the list of favourites because of the sense of promise they bring. I love mixed pots of daffodils, tulips, iris, and hyacinths: They are the essence of spring.

Cool outdoor flowering plants are prized as well, to be enjoyed on the patio for long periods. Primula bowls, with all their vibrant new colours, are fun and the yellow varieties will also add a welcome perfume.

Miniature roses are typically bred for indoor enjoyment, but as temperatures warm up, they are quite at home on a sunny porch or in a garden bed all summer long. They come in a wide range of colours and are probably the least expensive roses you can buy to enjoy this time of year.  

Many camellias are already in bloom in our gardens. They have spectacular flowers over a long blooming period and will thrive in the garden for many years.  

Pussy willows have really jumped in popularity, especially because of the new pink Japanese variety, salix gracilistyla, Mt. Aso. They can be enjoyed in your garden every year if they are root pruned to keep them a reasonable size, plus they come in grafted tree forms for something a little different. They are also one of the world’s best pollinator plants once the catkins are finished and the blooms open.  

There are many other winter flowers that bloom early to mid-February, but perhaps one of the most interesting is the Chinese flowering apricot, prunus mume, with its rich red, fragrant flowers. The nicest feature is that they will bloom each year at Valentine’s in your garden.  

Many of our best memories are triggered by fragrance, so consider creating a lovely new memory for them with a highly perfumed plant. Larger pots of narcissus, like the Bridal Crown, can fill your home with a beautiful aroma. Outdoors, fragrant Chinese witch hazels are still in flower for a unique winter-flowering gift.  

For those who love the coziness of their own homes, make it even more lush for them with the addition of a new houseplant. Indoor flowering plants are nice to enjoy over several weeks or even longer. The beautiful, tropical, anthuriums are available in a range of colours, and are among the longest to bloom.

Orchids, especially the phalaenopsis or Butterfly orchids, have become so popular because they are elegant, easy to care for, last for months and are usually available in a range of pot sizes. Ease up on the watering but mist the leaves often for their ideal care. Elegant Peace lilies, or spathiphyllums, with their rich green foliage, have new varieties which rebloom more frequently. They are quite stunning when combined in larger containers along with other durable tropical plants like philodendrons Birkin, White Wizard, and Pink Princess. Black Raven ZZ, or zamioculcas zamifolia plants, and unique hoyas are among the more treasured.

Independent research reveals that a gift of flowers resonates with people in many different ways. It’s the kind of present anyone would appreciate receiving, perhaps more than you can imagine, and Valentine’s is a wonderful opportunity to lift those spirits and brighten someone’s day. Think about which attribute they would appreciate the most, be it colour, fragrance, the vivacity of spring or the comfort of home, and the gift you give will show how much you really care.  

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Byron Tokarchuk and Anja Henche weren’t planning to buy a house. But then they saw it. “We made the mistake of coming here,” Tokarchuk jokes.

It was 2018, and the property in question — a boxy, cliffside structure perched on slim columns and wrapped in coastal forest — had popped up in a Lions Bay real estate listing.

Designed by architect Peter Cardew in 1980, the 2,800-square-foot home hadn’t been on the market in decades. It was Cardew’s first residential project and was inspired by Richard Meier’s Douglas House, a modernist home in Harbor Springs, Mich., famed for its geometric profile and steep setting.

The two were smitten. “It’s not very often you find this kind of house on the North Shore. Usually they’re pretty cookie-cutter,” says interior designer Henche, who describes feeling emotional on her first visit.

“It just felt like an exceptionally good place,” adds Tokarchuk, principal of West Vancouver’s TOK Design Studio.

The structure’s steel bones were in solid shape, but the envelope was failing, with rotting wood, disintegrating caulking and windows flexing in the wind.

Interior spaces were cramped and dated, and the whole place was layered in white carpet. “Everything was of a different time,” Tokarchuk recalls.

The home’s views also weren’t as visible as they could be from the inside, and the main-floor deck wasn’t usable — almost criminal for a home with unimpeded ocean frontage.

Post-purchase, the couple thought about expanding the home’s footprint. But a contractor’s quote brought them back to reality, and they decided to focus on quality instead, Tokarchuk says.

“We decided we’d really like to spend money and time on the quality and the way things are put together, instead of spreading ourselves too thin,” he says.

One of their best investments was rebuilding the view wall. Replacing a scattering of smaller windows, a curtain-wall glazing system and massive sliding doors now run nearly the full length of the main floor, allowing half the facade to open.

“In the summertime, in the morning, you’re throwing the entire wall open,” Tokarchuk says. “We hear the birds. The swallows are flying through.”

Inside, Tokarchuk and Henche opened up spaces and prioritized sightlines. The kitchen, once a closed-off galley, now opens to the view. Outfitted with Miele appliances and Bulthaup cabinetry, the space centres around a long island and table customized to fit the narrow footprint.

Quartzite with bold veining carries over the backsplash and counters. “The greys and rusts are a reflection of what’s out there,” Henche says. “The water, the rocks, the forest.”

Upstairs, all spaces face oceanward, even the primary bath. A walk-in glass shower now offers nearly 140 degrees of view, and the bathroom mirror reflects sky and water. Geometric porcelain tile adds texture without distracting from the vista.

An open mezzanine over the interior stairs became Henche’s home office, a vantage point Tokarchuk calls “one of the best spots in the house,” (with the caveat that he rarely gets the seat).

The couple also spent time updating the home’s mechanical systems and functional backbone, adding radiant flooring and storage throughout. On the lower level, they carved out space for a laundry room, two bedrooms, a shared bath and much-needed storage.

Exterior shading helps manage heat and light without detracting from glassy drama. “By controlling it outside the window wall, you don’t get the crazy thermal gain,” says Tokarchuk. “Yet you’re still enjoying the view.”

Below the home’s lower level, a small room drops down, housing a cedar-lined Finnish sauna with its own deck. Shaded in summer and protected in winter, it feels tucked away and elemental. “It’s a pretty magical space down there,” Tokarchuk says.

Despite its character, the home manages to feels comfortably calm and down to earth. Its main floor sits level with the street, avoiding the steep, switchback driveways common to Lions Bay. A covered bridge leads from a carport into the front entry.

“You essentially have a bridge from the parking area across a gap to the front door. Then when you enter the front door, you cross another bridge to the view,” Tokarchuk says. “That was intriguing to me.”

Inside, windows draw the eye to views of Howe Sound, Gambier Island and Sunshine Coast mountains. Light pours in so generously that the couple rarely turn on lights during the day.

Outside, eagles alight in the trees. Humpbacks feed offshore. “You’re very connected to nature here,” says Tokarchuk, noting that while it’s a short drive from West Vancouver, North Vancouver and downtown, “you really feel like you’re away.”

Tokarchuk and Henche moved into the renovated home in 2024. But today they’re looking ahead to their next project: renovating another oceanfront home in Pender Harbour. And they’ve put their Lions Bay labour of love on the market , hoping someone else will feel the same pull.

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

5164 Central Ave., Ladner

Type: Three-bedroom, two-bathroom detached

Size: 1,709 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,376,600

Listed for: $1,329,900

Sold for: $1,300,000

Sold on: Oct. 21

Days on market in this listing: Eight

Listing agent: Aileen Noguer PREC at ReMax Westcoast

Buyers agent: Renee Gomes and Jennifer West PREC at Macdonald Realty

The big sell: This updated three-bedroom house was built in 1971 in Ladner’s Hawthorne district on a sizable lot that boasts a 74-foot frontage separated from the road by high privacy hedging. It offers plenty of flexible storage options with a 12-by-10-foot finished workshop with electricity, as well as a double garage. There are gleaming hardwood floors inside the home, a newly-renovated galley-style kitchen with flat-panelled white cabinets, modern countertops, and stainless-steel appliances, a wood-burning fireplace and bay window in the living room, and barn doors that separate the dining area from the kitchen. All three bedrooms are found upstairs served by a family bathroom, as well as a 19-foot-long games room that lends itself to multiple uses. The south-facing rear garden contains a patio and a large deck with views across the well-tended English-style garden.

1170 Kendal Pl., North Vancouver

Type: Four-bedroom, three-bathroom detached

Size: 3,338 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $2,539,000

Listed for: $2,498,800

Sold for: $2,350,000

Sold on: Nov. 4

Days on market in this listing: 67

Listing agent: Brian Rybchinsky PREC at Virani Real Estate Advisors

Buyers agent: Colin Thornton PREC at Royal LePage Elite West

The big sell: A cul-de-sac location is one of the highlights of this four-bedroom family home in North Vancouver’s Edgemont subdivision. There are a number of schools nearby including its catchment schools of Cleveland Elementary and Handsworth Secondary, as well as parks and the amenities that comprise Edgemont Village. Built in 1968 and renovated in 2007, the two-level layout features the principal reception rooms on the upper floor alongside two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and an additional couple of bedrooms on the lower floor next to a recreation room, laundry, storage, and an attached double garage. There are hardwood floors that flow through the open-concept living area that takes in entertaining spaces in the form of both a family room and a living room, three fireplaces, and a 1,000-square-foot sundeck with views across the partly-treed rear garden.

108 — 2288 Pine St., Vancouver

Type: Three-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse

Size: 1,569 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,508,000

Listed for: $1,650,000

Sold for: $1,552,500

Sold on: Nov. 12

Days on market in this listing: 178

Listing agent: Eric Wu PREC at Oakwyn Realty

Buyers agent: Adam Chahl PREC at Oakwyn Realty

The big sell: This three-bedroom townhome went through some price iterations before hitting the sweet spot and landing a buyer back in November. It forms part of The Fairview, an 11-storey concrete building located at the corner of West 6th Avenue and Pine Street just across from the Arbutus Greenway and close to the shops, cafés and galleries of South Granville, as well as Kitsilano and Granville Island attractions. This two-level end-unit home has a private street entrance, 11-foot-high ceilings on the main floor, and expansive west-facing windows that fill the home with natural light. With a floor plan of almost 1,600 square feet, there are generous-sized rooms including a 16-foot-long primary bedroom, a den/study, and a laundry room. The unit comes with two underground parking stalls, a storage locker, and a monthly maintenance fee of $820.25. Residents can enjoy an indoor swimming pool, exercise centre, and hot tub.

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

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

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In winter, we naturally turn inward. Spending more time at home, seeking out comfort, and noticing our surroundings a little more. Colour is one of the simplest ways to shift the mood of a space, says expressive arts therapist Georgia Fullerton. Here, she discusses how to use colour to feel better during these darker, colder months.

Colours influence us on both a conscious and subconscious level, says Fullerton. When a colour surrounds us on walls, furniture, or accents, it interacts with feelings, perception and our overall mindset .

For example, greens are linked to balance and renewal. A deep green like BeautiTone’s 2026 colour of the year, Muse, can create a sense of calm and stability. Over time, these subtle cues shape mood, energy, and even how restorative a space feels, she says.

Unlike furniture or décor, paint is immersive. It sits in the background of daily life, shaping how light moves through a room and how the body responds to that space over time, she says.

During winter, when natural light drops and time outdoors is limited, certain colours tend to feel especially grounding.

“Earthy tones such as deep greens, warm terracottas, and muted neutrals, tend to feel grounding because they echo nature’s palette. They create a sense of stability when the outside world feels dark and we spend an increased amount of time indoors,” says Fullerton. “Pantone’s Cloud Dancer is a soft, airy white, which offers lightness and clarity. It’s a beautiful complement to deeper hues like Muse, balancing richness with brightness for a harmonious winter palette”

Neutral palettes remain popular, but Fullerton notes that not all neutrals offer the same emotional experience.

The undertone makes all the difference, she says. Warm neutrals like BeautiTone’s Dust of Light feel inviting and comforting, while cool, grey-based neutrals can sometimes feel stark or sterile. Texture also matters. Layering fabrics, wood, and natural materials with neutrals adds depth and prevents a space from feeling lifeless.

Much of colour’s impact happens below the surface, says Fullerton. In her therapeutic work, she often sees people respond emotionally to colour before they can articulate why.

“When colour is chosen deliberately, it reflects intention — what we want to feel or communicate. Subconsciously, colour can evoke memories, emotions, and even physiological responses without us realizing it. For example, I might invite a client to notice which colour feels connected to a certain emotion or part of themselves. Perhaps a deep blue that feels protective, or a soft pink that represents vulnerability. In therapy, I often see colour act as a bridge between inner experience and external expression,” she says.

That emotional response is one reason colour can feel intimidating, says Fullerton. Many homeowners worry about making choices that are too bold or committing to something they might regret.

The trick is to start small and layer. Choose an accent wall, piece of furniture or even a piece of artwork. These can add a sense of richness without overpowering your space, and they’re easy to switch out.

Paint’s emotional impact is also tied to its consistency, she says. Unlike objects that can be moved or replaced, wall colour is always present.

“Colour envelops us, it’s the backdrop to everything we do and wall colour is constant and immersive. It sets the tone for the entire space, influencing how light behaves and how we feel in the room. That’s why a simple paint change can completely shift mood and energy.”

When working with trend-led palettes, Fullerton encourages people to think beyond what is fashionable and focus instead on how a colour fits into daily life.

Look at how the colour resonates with your lifestyle and emotional needs. Trends are exciting, but the most successful choices are personal. Consider how colour interacts with your energy, your existing décor, and the mood you want to cultivate, says Fullerton.

For those unsure where to begin, her advice is simple:

“Start with a space you use daily, like a reading nook or bedroom wall, and choose a colour that supports how you want to feel there. Adding colour to a single wall or even through accessories like cushions or artwork can create a noticeable shift without a full renovation. Small changes often have the biggest emotional impact.”

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Fluorescent lights, the near-constant grinding of an industrial espresso machine, and chilly coffee shop temperatures … To many remote coffee shop workers, these are fast-forgotten annoyances while typing away on their laptops. But for Vancouver resident Maryam Mobini, who has ADHD and is among millions of neurodivergent people worldwide, experiences like these can leave her so depleted she has to go home and lie down in a dark room to recuperate. And don’t mention the impact on work productivity.

Mobini, a sensory and behaviour designer who has contributed to anxiety and chronic pain research at SFU, and trained under behaviour scientist Dr. BJ Fogg and psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen, is one of a growing number of neuro-informed designers.

Drawing on research in the field and her lived experiences, Mobini explores how environments — workplace, home, public spaces — impact emotions, thoughts and behaviour. Instead of asking people to rely on constant self-control, discipline, or coping, Mobini’s design philosophy puts the onus on the space itself. “The environment is always on, influencing us every minute we’re in it, whether we’re aware of it or not,” she explains.

Through her company, the innovation and design studio to:Resonate , Mobini consults with architects and interaction designers, and works one-on-one with clients in Canada, the US and Europe. Many of her clients are highly successful but struggle with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions. Working with the likes of Lululemon, Procter & Gamble and Thrive Global, Mobini designs sensory-informed workplaces, wellness spaces, residential homes, and public installations. By incorporating finely tuned acoustics, LED lighting and intuitive layouts, Mobini taps into frequency, light, colour, and sound to “support [nervous system] regulation rather than stimulation.”

And with “nervous system regulation” becoming somewhat of a buzzword — in 2024 the hashtag had garnered over hundreds of million views on TikTok — it’s a design consideration more and more firms are building into their ethos. “Sensory overload, attention fragmentation, and burnout are becoming mainstream,” says Mobini.

Neuroarchitecture as a field first emerged in the early 2000s when neuroscientists such as Fred Gage at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California — a centre founded in 1965 dedicated to studying how the environment influences the brain — began exploring the link between architecture and neuroplasticity. Today, researchers around the world are building on this work with initiatives such as the International Centre for Neuroarchitecture and NeuroDesign, a partnership between the Research Institute of Sweden and the University College of London which aims to explore how to make built environments more inclusive.

Here in Canada, design firms such as Mason Studio in Toronto are leading the way with sensory-informed residential and commercial projects. Stanley Sun, co-founder and creative director says one of the core principles of neuroarchitecture is the focus on function as opposed to only esthetics. “[In neuro-informed design,] materials are chosen not only for appearance but for how they perform. Textiles that absorb sound reduce mental fatigue. Surfaces with natural variation are easier for the eye and nervous system to process. Even small decisions, such as flooring transitions or door placement, influence how people move and feel at home.”

Mason Studio’s team also applies lighting strategies that calibrate to support circadian rhythms — brighter, cooler tones for morning and warmer, more diffused light for evening wind-down — for instance, which help improve sleep and energy. In a bedroom at Jing’an Residences townhouse project in Shanghai, Mason Studio’s team applied a continuous marble band along the lower part of the wall around the bed to create a sense of enclosure and security, and directed lighting upwards to create a feeling of warmth and comfort.

When considering layout, Stanley’s team aims for clear sightlines. For example, when designing a corridor at the Jing’an Residences, the team aimed to support intuitive movement throughout the space, helping reduce micro-decisions. They also added quiet zones, away from high-activity areas. “Each tactical choice works together to create a home that supports calm, clarity, and comfort without the resident having to think about it,” Sun explains.

While some may think these details are a luxury, Sun argues neuroarchitecture is an investment that will pay dividends. “In workplaces, the impact is measurable. Improved lighting and acoustic balance support concentration, reduce fatigue, and contribute to lower rates of mental health-related absenteeism.” He believes behavioural design has the potential to save time, energy, and emotional bandwidth across all aspects of life.

Mobini agrees: “When we design environments that support neurodivergent nervous systems, we create spaces that work better for everyone.”

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

614 East 14th Ave., Vancouver

Type: Five-bedroom, three-bathroom detached

Size: 2,228 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,559,000

Listed for: $1,720,000

Sold for: $1,850,000

Sold on: Oct. 24

Days on market in this listing: Seven

Listing agent: Adam Pospischil at Engel & Volkers Vancouver

Buyers agent: Michele Collins at Royal LePage Sussex

The big sell: According to listing agent Adam Pospischil, ten offers were received for this fully-updated home in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant community that pushed the final sale figure to $130,000 over the asking price. He cites those recent renovations, the characterful details of the 1910 house, a family-friendly neighbourhood near Robson Park, and a smaller lot size of 2,583 square feet which, he says, put the home at a price point that brought interest from both house buyers as well as duplex buyers. Inside, the three-storey interior features new hardwood floors, upgraded windows, a modern open-plan kitchen, a skylit dining area, a tankless water heater, a heat pump for heating and cooling, and a newly-installed split-level entertainment-sized rear patio bordered by stone retaining walls. In total, there are three bedrooms divided between the main and top floors, while a separate two-bedroom suite resides in the basement.

801 — 651 Nootka Way, Port Moody

Type: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment

Size: 891 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $699,000

Listed for: $739,900

Sold for: $730,000

Sold on: October 20

Days on market in this listing: 58

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

Buyers agent: Kyle Rademaker at Royal LePage Sterling Realty

The big sell: This two-bedroom, two-bathroom Port Moody condo is located in the Sahalee development in Polygon’s master-planned Klahanie community. Constructed in 2008, the 28-floor tower comprises 176 units with access to an array of amenities including a tennis court, outdoor swimming pool, exercise centre, gym, party room, guest suite, hot tub, and steam room. This bright corner unit has scenic vistas from every room as well as separated bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen with granite counters and stainless-steel appliances including a gas range, an electric fireplace, and an oversized balcony from which to enjoy the sunsets. It comes with two parking stalls, and a strata that permits pets (two dogs or two cats), and rentals. The unit’s monthly maintenance fee is $451.03, and of note to investors, the apartment achieved approximately $2,650 per month in rent.

2525 West 7th Ave., Vancouver

Type: Three-bedroom, four-bathroom half duplex

Size: 1,531 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,818,000

Listed for: $1,725,000

Sold for: $1,855,000

Sold on: Nov. 14

Days on market in this listing: Four

Listing agent: Jessica Chen PREC at Oakwyn Realty

Buyers agent: Mike Rampf PREC and Glenn Feldstein PREC at Engel & Volkers Vancouver

The big sell: Listing agent Jessica Chen reports that this home garnered three offers within the first day of showing with the winning offer coming in subject free at $130,000 over the asking price. The property in question is the front half of a duplex complete with radiant heated hardwood floors throughout, a new boiler/heat exchanger, fresh paintwork, and an attached garage. It forms part of a three-unit pet- and rental-friendly nonconforming strata in Kitsilano near General Gordon Elementary and Kitsilano Secondary schools. The bright open layout on the main floor combines a kitchen with granite countertops and Shaker-style cabinets in a dark wood hue, with adjacent living and dining areas finished with wainscot panelling. There are two bedrooms upstairs served by two bathrooms, while the ground floor has a third bedroom, ensuite bathroom, and french doors that open to a patio garden.

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

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

For more detailed mortgage information, explore our guide to Canada’s lowest national insured and uninsured mortgage rates, updated daily. Related

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Just a few decades ago, Anmore was a remote, undeveloped, rural area somewhere around Port Moody with rough roads and no services. Today, Anmore is an incorporated village that, in fact, borders Port Moody and all that city’s services and activities.

Anmore’s roughly 3,000 residents are a diverse mix of wealthy — including the occasional celebrity and at least one famous pro wrestler — and upper middle-class folks who have found their real estate dollars go much further here than in comparable areas of North and West Vancouver.

“Last year’s stats showed about a four to five per cent decrease in values in most of the main municipalities in the Lower Mainland — Burnaby, North Van, West Van — and this year, Anmore bucked the trend and went up four per cent,” says Glen Bohnet, realtor for the listing at 184 Kinsey Drive .

“People move here to get away from the congestion and high crime rates [of bigger cities],” says Bohnet, who also lives in Anmore. “People want a place where their kids can play on the streets, where there are hiking trails and walkways, and they particularly want the bigger lots without the bigger cost. Anmore is still way undervalued, and more specific to the house we’re talking about.”

The house we’re talking about is a five-bedroom, eight-bathroom, 8,434-square-foot contemporary estate on a one-acre lot surrounded by mature trees that is listed for just over $7 million. “That would be very difficult to find in other areas at that size and price point with that land component,” says Bohnet.

What’s inside

The front pivot door by Nordica Aluminum with European windows by Open Windows, both Richmond-based companies, opens into an expansive, airy main living room with 20-foot ceilings that extend up two floors. The tiled flooring, as well as the handcrafted cabinetry throughout the home, was made by Future Living, imported from Italy and assembled on site.

All kitchen appliances, including the steam oven, are made by Miele, and the eight-burner stove by Viking. “It’s an oversized chef’s kitchen made for entertaining,” says Bohnet. “It’s one of the biggest I’ve ever seen.”

Rather than being tucked away in the basement, a large glass-enclosed wine wall is incorporated into the main living space off the dining room.

The striking, snowflake-inspired Crown Summa chandelier by Italian company Nemo Lighting floats above the living room, while Navada pendant lighting by Richmond Hill, Ont. company Eurofase illuminates the dining room. The sleek kitchen pendant lighting is by Tech Lighting, now part of Visual Comfort & Co.

The bathroom off the primary bedroom features a marble wall and countertops, and the other seven have stone finishings. A separate one-bedroom, self-contained suite with kitchen, bathroom and sitting room could be used as either a nanny or in-law suite.

Bohnet says that, as the house was being built, the owners noticed that the ceilings were going to be quite high. “So they had the builders create loft areas in both the kids’ bedrooms, which was a fun and unique thing to do.”

A dedicated home office sits next door to a gym for an impromptu workout break. A games room, home theatre with a professional sound system, a custom-made stainless steel bar area complete the downstairs. An elevator connects all three floors of the “smart” home — automation controls blinds, music, temperature, etc.

A glass overhead walkway leads to an upper deck with forest views and an entertaining area with one of two fire pits, an infinity pool and hot tub that extend over the garage at the far end. Another hot tub sits at the back of the house in a kids’ recreation area with a trampoline.

For comfort, the home is air-conditioned for summer, while two gas fireplaces and radiant heat keep it cosy in winter.

Outside, the professionally landscaped yard is flush with greenery and mature trees. “That’s also the beauty of Anmore,” says Bohnet. “It feels very rural. You don’t feel like you’re in a city environment; it’s much greener and people like the privacy.”

In the neighbourhood

Bohnet says good schools are all within walking distance. “The elementary school is renowned for exceptional education, and Port Moody Middle School and High School are both ranked highly in school ratings.”

Grocery stores, shops, and restaurants are about a seven-minute drive away in Port Moody, where you can also hop aboard the SkyTrain or West Coast Express to downtown Vancouver. Coquitlam Centre Mall is a 10- to 15-minute drive, while Sasamat Lake, Buntzen Lake, White Pine Beach and the numerous hiking trails of Belcarra Regional Park, as well as the boating, beaches and fishing on Indian Arm, are about 10 minutes away.

“We have a tight-knit community,” says Bohnet. “Everyone looks out for each other.”

Location: 184 Kinsey Drive, Anmore

Listed for: $7,299,000

Year built: 2022

Type: Five bedrooms, eight bathrooms

Size: 8,434 sq ft

Realtor: Listed by Glen Bohnet, Team Bold, Royal LePage West

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

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As we finally take down and pack away all our Christmas decor, we find it does leave a bit of emptiness in our homes.

One of the best things we can do to add fresh life and lift our spirits is to add some new plants to our houseplant collections. By new plants, I mean the fun, interesting ones that have added buzz to the world of indoor tropicals and have also proven to be solid performers.

It is important to remember that our winter indoor growing conditions are not the best for all plants, but keeping them near windows for increased light, running our homes just a little cooler, and providing a bit of extra care, they will be fine, especially if you choose the more resilient varieties.

My first choice for colour this time of year is anthuriums. They are remarkably tough, with their thick, dark green leaves, and beautiful heart-shaped flowers in vibrant reds, pinks, orange, purple and white. Their colour just keeps coming all year round. They are also available in smaller four-inch pot sizes, ideal for windowsills and tabletops. By themselves, or combined with other tropicals in an attractive, low planter, they top my list of beautiful, easy-to-care-for plants.

This is also the time of year we can find some of the best selections of bromeliads. The range of sizes and brilliant coloration is amazing. They are among the easiest of all plants to care for: All you need to do is keep the soil moist and add a little bit of warm water into the centre of the plant, allowing them to absorb the water as they need it.

Their vibrant colours and unique flower forms are truly spectacular and they last for weeks. Related to pineapples, bromeliads are something you can really have fun with.

The ZZ plant, or Zamioculcas, is not new, but the pure black variety Black Raven is one I never get tired of observing. Since there is no green in mature leaves, the plant must be set in a higher light area to go through its photosynthetic process. They are great by themselves but combine them with silver aglaonemas, or multicolored calatheas, and you have pure magic.

Philodendrons are always on the “easy-care” list, but a newer variety, Pink Princess, is something else. With dark burgundy leaves splashed with bright pink, it will truly pop in your display. Though it is not a trailer, it has a vining habit, so you can creatively train it onto a shaped frame for an even more impressive look.

Its cousin, White Wizard, is a green philodendron with unique white blotches and flecks across its foliage. It, too, is versatile and can be trained into unique shapes and forms. Both are eye catchers.

Philodendron Birkin may be small but it offers big interest. A compact plant with green leaves striped with white, it makes a statement by itself or in combination with any plant with contrasting dark foliage.

Versatile pothos make wonderful indoor hanging basket plants. They are very easy to take care of, are among the best-selling varieties and usually come in a range of pot sizes. The colour explosion of new varieties has further enhanced their appeal. Pothos epipremnum Happy Leaves is an introduction featuring rich cream and green foliage. The new variety called Cebu Blue boasts deeply toned bluish leaves, which is a novelty in tropical plants. Pearls and Jade is an interesting white and green bicolour, so keep an eye out for that one, too. When it comes to variegated foliage, pothos certainly lead the pack and I love how easy they are to have in your home.

The old-fashioned rubber plant, ficus elastica, has changed dramatically in its colour range. Their familiar dark green leaves have “evolved” into burgundy-black, as well as tricoloured cream, green and coral-pinks of varieties like Belize, Tineke and Ruby. They are striking and can enhance a room all by themselves. I’m really impressed by the foliage of a new multicoloured variety called ficus Shivereana. It has sophisticated, tan-coloured leaves with unique green speckled markings.

Rubber plants are among the most user friendly, but when the older green leafed varieties are replaced by newer colour blends, the plants will need far more light. Another secret with rubber plants is proper pruning. During the active growing season, pinch out the tips of the existing branches, which will force the plant to send out more branches along the stem, never leaving a gangly plant with a bare stem on the bottom.

The hoya family has exploded into so many unique leaf colour combinations, and it will be fun to see what comes next. They will all flower once they mature, but the secret is to put them in a very cool east or north window where, if you can slightly open the window to get the temperature below 8ºC (50ºF), it can help with bud set.

Spider plants, chlorophytum comosum, have always been an indoor garden staple, with lots of new plants developing on the tips of shoots which come from the centre of the plant. Curly Sue has a “swirled” habit, which makes it that much more interesting.

Just before Christmas, a good local grower reintroduced ardisias, sometimes called the “Christmas Berry” plant, back into our tropical market. It’s a green plant, much like a coffee plant, but with temperature variation treatment they can produce stunning red, coral or white berries which last for months. I think they are just spectacular.

If you have a cool windowsill near your kitchen sink, you may want to try some of the “string” series of plants. From String of Dolphins, Frogs, Turtles, Spades and Pearls, they are all fun plants and look surprisingly like each of the animals/objects for which they are named. They make great gifts for kids.

These are just a few of the many plants which can transform an empty-feeling room into a happy, uplifting and welcoming environment, which is especially valuable during the darker days of winter.

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