Organic Gardening News

Every now and then, a family needs a fresh start. For the owners of an aging Craftsman home in West Vancouver, the moment came after a decade in their space. And they’d reached a point where they needed to buy something more modern and move — or renovate.

They had no qualms about the location, a cedar-lined plot tucked away from neighbouring views and overlooking the ocean to UBC, Stanley Park and beyond.

“The clients love that piece of property. It’s really fantastic,” says Brad Ingram, design manager of North Vancouver’s Synthesis Design . “So they decided they didn’t want to give up that site.” Once committed to renovating, they got Synthesis onboard.

In addition to a fresher, modern esthetic, they wanted to make the 7,000-square-foot home more viable long-term, integrating features for aging in place, such as a central elevator.

“Redesigning the upper floor, main floor and basement to allow for an elevator, and then also redesigning the staircase so that we could fit it all in, was a big challenge,” says Ingram.

With the couple’s two daughters still living at home — one in high school and one in university — the renovation also needed to support a household that wasn’t in a hurry to disperse. This is a scenario that the project design team, Ingram and Synthesis senior designer Julie Lepper, say they’re seeing more and more.

“Clients are telling us that they want their kids to stay home longer, whereas for many years it was, ‘OK, you’re 18, out you go to the world,’” says Lepper.

Altogether, the changes amounted to a full overhaul. “It was basically a full gut,” says Ingram.

One of the home’s biggest upgrades was also the most visible: removing walls and rethinking the main floor to create a kitchen that could function as the hub of the home.

To maximize working space and keep the open-plan space uncluttered, a bank of oak cabinetry houses storage and disguises appliances along the back wall, including a Sub-Zero freezer and fridges.

“They like to cook all together, so, there was a lot of thinking about how multiple people could be in the kitchen at once and not be on top of each other,” says Lepper.

A 10-by-20-foot L-shaped counter wraps around a long central island, creating what feels like miles of surface for cooking, prepping and cleaning as a crew. A four-foot galley sink with two faucets, a second sink, double ovens and double dishwashers complete the setup.

Seating is just as plentiful. Between counter stools and a counter-height table with seating, the kitchen could easily host a large gathering on its own. But a 15-foot-wide sliding glass wall opens to make the kitchen feel part of the backyard. “When that opens up, it’s almost like you’re sitting outside,” Lepper says.

This flow carries through to a new outdoor living room, which wraps a pre-existing pool in an L-configuration. An overhang provides cover, allowing the space to function year-round, with an exterior fireplace, heaters and automated blinds that drop down to shade or hold warmth, while sofas, chairs, a pizza oven, barbecue and TV create a “resort feel,” says Ingram.

Also resort-like is a custom cedar sauna, around a corner under an existing overhang, paired with a cabana-style bathroom for changing and showering.

This isn’t the only sauna on the property, though: it has a private, spa-inspired counterpart in the primary ensuite upstairs, alongside a roomy steam shower.

“We throw around ‘spa-like bathrooms’ all the time, whether [we’re talking about] a 600-square-foot house or mega mansion, but this was very well-considered,” says Lepper. “On a wet, cold, typical Vancouver day, to be able to hop into your steam shower then have a quick sauna is truly luxury.”

The second floor was reconfigured to give all four bedrooms a private ensuite — allowing each family member autonomy within the shared space. A former bathroom and hallway became a light-filled home office enclosed in glass. “It was meant for the homeowner,” Ingram says, “but apparently the kids love that room so much.”

More skylights, over the staircase, bring daylight deeper into the interior, while a glass balustrade edged in black metal creates a graphic focal point.

“That was a bit of a happy accident,” Lepper says of the detailing. “It turned out much better than I had imagined.”

While the renovation gave the home a more modern profile, the team retained portions of the original exterior cladding, combined a new standing-seam metal roof and cedar shingles that nod to its Craftsman roots.

“We blended a little bit of the original architecture with a lot of modern elements,” Ingram says.

For Ingram and Lepper, the project was an example of what can happen when architecture and interiors unfold in tandem.

“It was really a lovely collaboration between interior design and architecture,” Lepper says. “There isn’t that disconnect you sometimes get. We could just walk downstairs and work it through together.”

Project design: Synthesis Design

Project construction: Kennedy Construction

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

360 Southborough Dr., West Vancouver

Type: Seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom detached

Size: 7,720 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $5,894,000

Listed for: $7,288,000

Sold for: $7,000,000

Sold on: Dec. 1

Days on market in this listing: 45

Listing agent: Kris Lazaruk PREC at Bellevue Realty Group and D.J. Denner PREC at Angell Hasman & Associates Realty

Buyers agent: Davis Kosowan at Oakwyn Realty

The big sell: With seven bedrooms and more than 7,700 square feet of internal living space, this spacious estate is not shy on size. Add to the mix a prestigious British Properties location and the result is a $7-million sale tag. Luxury finishes abound in the newly-built residence from the grand living area with soaring ceilings, clerestory windows, and a dramatic stone fireplace, a gourmet kitchen with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, an oversized island with waterfall countertops, and a concealed spice kitchen, to the 20-foot-square family room that flows out to a patio with glass balustrade siding, and a beautifully-crafted swimming pool and hot tub. Upstairs, the elegant primary suite includes a terrace and sumptuous ensuite, while further bedrooms also boast private decks. Additional highlights include media and recreation rooms, smart home automation, and landscaped grounds through the 0.43-acre lot.

107 — 3503 Gislason Ave., Coquitlam

Type: Three-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse

Size: 1,588 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,135,000

Listed for: $1,169,000

Sold for: $1,100,000

Sold on: December 20

Days on market in this listing: 30

Listing agent: Sonny Mann at Oakwyn Realty Encore

Buyers agent: Carolyn Pogue PREC at Royal LePage Sterling Realty

The big sell: Burke Place is a boutique collection of 16 townhouses that were built in 2021 in Northeast Coquitlam’s Burke Mountain by Mortise Group of Companies. This particular home enjoys a three-bedroom layout with 10-foot-high ceilings, wide-plank floors, expansive windows, a floating linear electric fireplace in the living room with adjacent display shelving, and a well-designed kitchen with quartz surfaces, a gas stove, and an island with breakfast bar seating for four. The icing on the cake is a private rooftop retreat in excess of 600 square feet complete with a hot tub from which to soak in the panoramic old growth forest and valley vistas. Modern comforts also include a heat pump, forced air heating, a tankless on-demand hot water system, and a side-by-side garage with epoxy flooring and extra storage. The home’s monthly maintenance fee is $409.62.

2214 — 2216 West 14th Ave., Vancouver

Type: Eight-bedroom, four-bathroom detached

Size: 3,702 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $3,069,000

Listed for: $3,218,000

Sold for: $3,180,000

Sold on: Nov. 27

Days on market in this listing: 64

Listing agent: Bob Bracken at ReMax Real Estate Services

Buyers agent: Fred Choy PREC at ReMax Real Estate Services

The big sell: One of the intriguing factors of this side-by-side Kitsilano duplex is that it offers plenty of opportunity for revenue collection depending on the buyers’ requirements. In total, it comprises four identically-sized (925 square feet) two-bedroom suites, and an oversized 50-by-125-foot lot. The suites have separate entrances and the ground-floor units have walkout capability to the fully-fenced rear yard. They all feature open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas, quality finishings, gas fireplaces, decks or patios, and private or shared laundry. At the time of selling, three of the suites were tenanted and rented furnished, and one was owner occupied. In total, the gross income equates to $12,800 per month ($153,600 per year). The landscaped garden is a feature of the property with exotic trees, shrubs and mature palms, and there is a two-car garage alongside two open stalls.

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

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

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Do you ever find yourself balking at the colours in your home? If so, you’re in good company. Even Rosie Daykin, a harbinger of great taste as a longtime interior designer, writer of four stylish books and former owner of Butter Baked Goods on Vancouver’s west side, admits to wrestling for years with the uber-contemporary palate she originally plumped for her nearby 1950s’ rancher.

“We moved in 2007 and made everything grey-white, which was appropriate for the age of the house,” she says, as we sit in her open-plan kitchen, hugged by the waft of homemade fruit cake in her oven. “It was really reflective of that one-level setup, but within several years, it was just a fight for me. It felt soulless.”

While running the bakery and writing cookbooks left her with little time, today more freedom has allowed her to enter her most personal design era. Sparked by her creation of a produce-centric backyard — The Side Gardener , published last year, showcases her abundant raised beds and chickens — Daykin explains she needed a “cohesive indoor-outdoor feeling, so it started to be weird that I have this lovely frothy cottage garden and then come inside to this sterile, stainless-steel space …”

Frequent travels to England also played a significant role in her home’s refresh. Daykin fell for the country’s effortless mixing of old and new, often unearthed during stays in such hotels as Heckfield Place and the Newt.

“I wondered why I was only having that when I’m on vacation and not living like it every day,” she says. “There were esthetics that resonated with me.”

These touches included warming the atmosphere of her home through patterned wallpaper, such as the U.K.’s Robert Kime Dog Rose and Farrow & Ball’ s myriad green hues, including its Cromarty light green-grey.

“It can be transformative and it’s one of the easiest — and often the most inexpensive — thing to do to your home,” Daykin says. “And if you’re energetic, you can do it yourself, of course.”

Another tip to making colours pop — all part of what she calls her “exercise in layering” — is to add more texture by installing boards to some walls to resemble panelling.

She swapped plain electric blinds (“cold and impersonal; it felt like a lockdown”) on the living room windows with bold printed linen drapes called Wild Thing from Lewis & Wood, which brought in more joyous pinks and reds petals — and even monkeys. (“There’s something about the action of pulling them together that just feels great,” she says. “It’s like an extra quilt on the bed in winter.”)

Other effortless ways to add different hues, Daykin continues, include bringing in rugs (jute patchworked ones from Etsy now partly cover her travertine floor), as well as simply moving around any paintings and art you may have to other parts of your home.

When it comes to the planning stage, she suggests ripping pages out of magazines that appeal. “Often there’s a connecting thread,” she says, adding that it’s also important to think about which places “you’ve been in that make you feel good.”

Overall, she had no time for fads. “It’s all about representing yourself authentically and not trying to fit in from a trend standpoint. Besides, if you create a space that’s truly reflective of your personal taste, it will connect with people and they will feel comfortable.”

So now how does she feel when she crosses her threshold into this loveliness of layers? “Like I’m finally at home,” she concludes.

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Smart tech and trends are everywhere in contemporary homes, but a closer look shows many features — like farmhouse sinks, herringbone patterns and Shaker cabinetry — have surprisingly old roots and have been around for generations. While some of these ideas have remained largely unchanged over the decades, others have had a design tweak to give them a modern look.

One of the most historic design features seen in modern homes is herringbone pattern, often used for flooring and eye-catching backsplashes.

The herringbone pattern, so named for its resemblance to a fish skeleton, dates back to ancient Roman times when stone and brick was laid in the zigzag pattern to build roads. Later it became a popular option in French chateaux and luxury European homes.

Melissa Hardwick, founder of Vancouver-based Melissa Hardwick Design, believes herringbone has survived for centuries because it isn’t just a pattern, it’s a form of visual movement.

“Unlike straight-set layouts, which feel static, herringbone creates rhythm and direction, so the surface feels alive,” she says, adding that while modern manufacturing has made herringbone more accessible, including engineered wood and mesh-mounted tiles, the appeal of the pattern hasn’t changed.

Hardwick notes people are drawn to the herringbone pattern because it immediately suggests craftsmanship.

“Even when produced using contemporary methods, the pattern still reads as something that was carefully assembled rather than simply installed. It adds richness without being ornate, which allows it to feel appropriate in both traditional and modern spaces,” she says.

Lisa Hansen, principal at Area3 Design in Richmond, B.C. agrees herringbone-patterned floors are a luxury and reminiscent of European detail.

“Not every flooring installer is capable of this application. This detail takes true craftsmanship — and definitely increases not only the product cost, but specifically the labour cost,” says Hansen, adding it’s not a typical detail in multi-family projects and because of the price barrier is more often seen in custom homes.

Nevertheless, in BMG’s Holden Row development in South Surrey, Hansen chose to use a herringbone floor design along with several other features with lengthy design histories.

“At Area3, we love when design feels familiar in the best way. With Holden Row we embraced the idea that some of the most timeless spaces come from revisiting what’s already proven itself over time — and giving it a fresh point of view,” she says.

“Elements like herringbone hardwood floors and the farmhouse apron sink aren’t new, and that’s exactly why we love them. The herringbone pattern adds texture and movement without feeling fussy, while the apron sink — originally designed for hardworking kitchens — still makes sense today as a practical, welcoming centrepiece where life naturally happens,” she adds. Hansen says layered with rich cabinetry, warm metals and old-world tile details, these classic features make a home feel current, comfortable and lived-in.

The Shaker cabinetry in the Holden Row condo development includes a design tweak to reflect the modern farmhouse style.

The distinctive five-piece Shaker-style cabinet doors comprising two stiles (vertical lengths of wood that define the side of the door) and two rails (horizontal pieces of wood that fit across the top and bottom of the door), plus the recessed centre panel date back to the 18th century and the Shaker community with its values steeped in simplicity.

Hansen says the Shaker-style cabinet door lends itself to multiple esthetics which create its mass appeal. For the Holden Row interior design, she specified a ‘skinny Shaker’ profile to add a modern twist to the overall design.

Another form of millwork with historic roots is wainscotting. While the panelling was originally used in medieval Europe to insulate cold stone walls, nowadays its role is primarily decorative.

Wainscotting brings a sense of order, sophistication and permanence to a space, says Hardwick.

“I often describe millwork as what makes a room feel ‘settled.’ It anchors a space in a way paint and furnishings alone cannot,” she says, adding that while classical proportions once dictated how wainscotting was used, modern homes allow for more flexibility.

“I still work with proportion and balance, but I respond to ceiling heights, natural light and how the room is lived in. Sometimes taller panelling or deeper trim gives a contemporary room the visual weight it needs to feel complete,” she says.

There’s also a misconception that millwork feels overly formal, says Hardwick.

“When it’s done with restraint — clean profiles and thoughtful scale — it actually elevates a space while making it feel calmer and more resolved,” she says adding she is particularly drawn to early 20th-century millwork — Arts and Crafts and Edwardian influences — where quality, proportion and longevity were central to the design.

While the first claw foot tubs date back to the 18th century, they became increasingly popular when David Buick, before he founded the Buick Motor Company, developed a process to bond porcelain enamel to cast iron to produce white tubs, the porcelain enamelling method that is still used to manufacture cast iron baths today.

While Hardwick has a claw foot tub in her own home, she admits to being more fond of a shower but says there’s no denying the ambience a claw foot tub creates.

She believes the age and character of a home matters when choosing a claw foot.

“In older houses, they often feel completely natural, as though they’ve always belonged. In more contemporary homes, that contrast can be very intentional — the tension between old and new creates dynamic, layered spaces that feel more personal and interesting,” she says.

She says claw foot tubs also require enough room to be enjoyed and that when the space is available, they create a sense of spa-like luxury that few built-in tubs can match.

Some of the other features with long histories include Dutch doors, butler’s pantries — sometimes serving as inspiration for modern, smaller homes’ coffee stations — laundry chutes, dumb waiters and even traditional drop leaf tables where a “leaf” is sometimes attached to a kitchen island in smaller condos and folded out to create a dining table or extra work surface.

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In 1912, oceanfront property in Oak Bay, Victoria, was not out of reach for at least one schoolteacher’s salary. Following the municipality’s incorporation in 1906, expanded streetcar service was making it faster and easier to access downtown Victoria. And the pre-First World War building boom was turning fields and farmland into what would become an upscale, sought-after neighbourhood.

Eager to get in on the action, Edward Hamilton-Smith, a high school teacher from Scotland via Pennsylvania, took a calculated risk and snapped up six waterfront lots on an acre and a half in the Willows Beach area of Oak Bay for the grand sum of $6,900. He then commissioned architect L.W. Hargreaves to design a one-and-a-half storey, 4,163 square-foot, wood-framed Craftsman-style house on what was then called Beachway Avenue.

Hargreaves designed several Victoria buildings of note, including the Scott Building on Johnson Street, the Yen Wo Society Building on Government Street, and what is now the Hotel Rialto on Douglas Street.

For an additional $4,000, N. Benneck & Sons were contracted to build the home with features such as a side-gabled roof with smaller gabled extensions and a front dormer with a balcony above a large front porch that wraps around the ocean side of the house.

The property has since been subdivided and the home, now known as the Edward Hamilton-Smith House (or Manor), has lost much of its ocean view (although you can still glimpse it from the upper deck and primary bedroom), but it’s been meticulously preserved and cared for. It’s one of only two houses on what’s now called Cavendish Avenue that have retained their original finishes and exterior detailing: cladding of narrow siding on the main floor and shingle cladding on the second floor and basement levels; wide trim boards and heavy brackets supporting bargeboards; upper balcony above the front door with beams, brackets and porch railings; wraparound porch on the north and east facades with Classical columns and four shingle and clad columns.

What’s inside

The interior of the designated heritage home maintains many of the original finishes, fireplaces and floor plan, with the exception of the kitchen and bathrooms, which the current owners upgraded in 2010, along with the ductwork, heating and electrical system.

“They hired John Graham, an architect and member of the Oak Bay Heritage Foundation, who sourced original, reclaimed materials for the bathroom fixtures,” says listing agent Lee Chambers of Victoria-based Pemberton Holmes Ltd. “They also renovated the entire basement in 2014, when they added the back deck.”

Three wood-burning fireplaces, including a large brick- and fir-framed one in the dining area off the kitchen, were converted to gas during the 2010 renovation. Original fir flooring spans the main and upper storeys of the home, while the kitchen is laid with stone and ceramic tile. From the entryway, French doors lead into a formal living room with a brick-encased fireplace. A separate office, den, bedroom and full bathroom complete the main floor. Period windows and lighting, as well as some authentic brass doorknobs and push-button light switches, remain intact from over 100 years ago.

The freshly painted kitchen features plenty of windows, an oversized, six-burner Viking gas range, a Sub-Zero fridge, an additional beverage fridge in an island with added drawers for storage and double-thick granite countertops.

 

The open staircase with preserved woodwork leads to the upper floor, which features two bedrooms, including the primary bedroom, a library, study, and bathroom with double sinks, a soaker tub, and full-body shower with multiple jets. “The interlacing tiles in the upstairs bathroom have an iridescent quality that’s quite hypnotizing,” says Chambers. He adds that the two stained glass windows in the main floor and upper floor bathrooms were brought from the current owners’ previous home, which they framed and hung over the windows for a touch of colour.

The fully finished basement features a family room, a laundry room, full bathroom and two more bedrooms, which could be used as flex space for a games room or gym, along with tons of storage cabinetry.

Double doors lead off the kitchen onto a back patio and down the stairs into an expansive lawn filled with mature trees, perennial shrubbery and tall cedar hedge for privacy. “It’s as easy care as it can be, but if someone wanted a veggie garden, they could (certainly add one),” says Chambers.

 

He says that when he shows the home, “The word ‘family’ is always used, whether it’s a young family or a multi-generational family that needs a lot of space. Consistently, people come through and are surprised by the spaciousness of it.”

He says that, although there are technically six bedrooms, other rooms currently used as study, den and flex room could be converted to bedrooms, bringing the total to nine bedrooms for a large family.

“It’s a classic; 114 years old but in ‘loved’ condition,” says Chambers of the historic home. “The current owners walked a fine line, keeping all the best character features, while updating everything that’s important to today’s homeowner.”

No doubt Edward Hamilton-Smith would give his legacy an A+.

In the neighbourhood

The home is the second-to-last house on a street that ends at Willow’s Beach — 75 adult steps away, says Cavendish — with views of Mt. Baker and nearby islands. “The Oak Bay neighbourhood is consistently voted among the most livable in Canada. The tree-lined streets are walkable and rideable. It’s near some of the best public and private schools in B.C., and only 10 minutes from the University of Victoria.”

He notes also that it’s a few kilometres to the Oak Bay Marina, the Greater Victoria Yacht Club, Uplands Golf Course, the Royal Victoria Golf Course, Oak Bay Village, Estevan Village, a rec centre, and hospital.

“A comparable neighbourhood on the mainland would be West Point Grey, Kerrisdale, and Kits beach, as far as the activity and desirability of being in proximity to a beach.”

Location: 2753 Cavendish Avenue, Oak Bay

Listed for: $3,475,000

Year built: 1912

Type: Six bedrooms, three bathrooms

Size: 4,163 square feet

Realtor: Listed by Lee Chambers, Pemberton Holmes Ltd.

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If there is one thing Chantel and Ryan Ness of Supermarket Studio and Andrea Ewanchyna of Andrea Jae Studio have in common, it’s the belief that collaboration makes design stronger. Both studios are rooted in craft and process. Both are attentive to material, structure and the lived experience of a space, and both approach design as a dialogue rather than a solo act.

This mindset is what brought them together to design a custom stair runner for a residential project. Ewanchyna conceived a runner that would become the visual anchor of the home.

“We collaborated with Supermarket Studio to make it happen,” she says.

The stair runner design drew from Bauhaus textiles and architectural lines, resulting in a bold geometric pattern that honoured structure.

“That project was really rooted in design for purpose rather than design for esthetics, which is how Bauhaus came into the mix because ‘form follows function’ is their M.O.,” says Ewanchyna.

As Ewanchyna and Supermarket Studio refined the design, they realized it resonated beyond the client’s home. “We’d have random strangers coming up to us asking where they could purchase that rug,” says Ewanchyna.

Supermarket Studio received similar inquiries after posting progress images. The response led to the creation of the Loom x Andrea Jae Studio capsule collection.

The Loom collection

At the heart of the collection is a shared respect for textile history.

“Andrea and I were thinking a lot about weaving as a female-led tradition. Heritage and tradition have been carried forward through knowledge, repetition and making,” says Chantel Ness.

The influence of Bauhaus textile artist Anni Albers was intentional.

“We were inspired by Anni Albers’ idea of textiles as a dialogue between maker and material, which encouraged us to work with restraint and rhythm rather than decoration,” says Ness.

Bauhaus was a German design movement focused on function, geometry and the union of art and craft. In the Loom collection, Ewanchyna and Ness reflect that ethos by prioritizing structure and material over ornament, using disciplined geometry and the loom’s warp as a starting point to create purposeful, tactile rugs.

Colour, personality and comfort

The Loom collection features three distinct colourways, says Ness.

“‘Espresso’ is intentionally neutral and easy to live with, ‘Coast’ is a bit more fun, and ‘Plum’ nods to the colour-drenching trend happening in interiors right now. It was really about seeing how far the same design could stretch just through colour,” she says.

Developing those palettes required experimentation, says Ewanchyna. Supermarket Studio have hundreds of colours in their studio to select from.

What you think might work doesn’t necessarily translate, so the colour pompoms Supermarket Studio uses have become critical to the design process, says Ewanchyna. Their studio also helps with decisions on pile height, density and yarn spin so the rugs feel as good as they look.

West Coast modern esthetic

The Loom collection reflects a West Coast modern sensibility, says Ewanchyna.

“In terms of design, West Coast modern means framing views of the natural world around us, whether that is through a vista in a window or creating a mood through layering of materials. There are lichens out there in our rainforest in these tones that we can tend to forget about,” she says.

Ultimately, she says, it’s about how these rugs make a space feel: “I want people to feel underfoot comfort! That’s the whole point of an area rug, isn’t it?! I also want them to feel like it’s a piece of art, but on the floor. I want them to know that each one of these rugs is handmade and therefore one of a kind.”

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Sam Curleigh and his wife, Samantha Croll, spent eight months looking for “the perfect family-size townhome” to accommodate their growing family and two large dogs.

“We visited several projects, but there was always something missing,” says Curleigh. “When we visited Terrain, it ticked off all our boxes.”

Croll, who is pregnant with the couple’s second child, agreed. “We love the spacious yard and the location, which backs onto the longest trail system in Squamish. We really did our research, and we are excited to move into a three-bedroom townhome with great views of the Tantalis Mountain range this October.”

Located at the confluence of the mountains and the sea, Polygon Homes’ Terrain has been carefully integrated into the hillside in the Garibaldi Springs neighbourhood, creating a subtle transition between urban and rural landscapes.

As one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada, Squamish’s reputation as a world-class tourist destination has made this town a desirable place to live, work and play. Known as the “outdoor recreational capital of Canada,” many people from across the Lower Mainland are moving here for the outdoor lifestyle.

“Squamish is a very desirable location in the Lower Mainland, and we are seeing this area appeal to a wide range of buyers. Terrain itself is adjacent to over 90 acres of parkland with views of the breathtaking surroundings and just steps from Squamish’s extensive trail network, so it’s highly attractive to outdoor lovers and adventurers,” says Goldie Alam, senior vice-president of marketing at Polygon Homes, adding that during its opening day on Jan. 31, 2026, Polygon sold 22 homes.

Since Terrain’s opening, the response has been overwhelmingly positive — everyone from downsizers to young couples who are expanding their families and needing more space.

“We also saw a lot of parents coming with their kids and grandchildren to provide both emotional and financial support to assist the next generation of their families as they enter or move up in the market,” says Alam. “One of our floor plans features a secondary suite and some families are buying this type of home to have multiple generations living together.”

Overlooking the Squamish Valley, within Polygon’s master planned community of Garibaldi Springs, Terrain is a collection of 127 three and four-bedroom contemporary townhomes, ranging from 1,480 to 2,232 square feet. Each home comes with large decks or patios, fenced-in backyards, and side-by-side oversized garages that are insulated and heated with EV rough-ins and plenty of storage for outdoor toys. When complete, Garibaldi Springs will comprise 314 townhomes.

Designed by Ekistics, the homes’ architecture blends well with the mountain setting with sharply pitched roof lines, black-framed windows and vertical siding.

“The homes on the higher elevation have better views of the mountains, but each home has some kind of view,” says Alam.

Curated by Polygon Interior Design, each townhome is comfortably designed for today, with over-height ceilings, expansive windows flooding the homes with natural light, contemporary cabinetry with matte black steel hardware, and a Samsung appliance package including an induction cooktop with oven, and in some plans integrated refrigerators and dishwashers.

Spacious, these larger homes’ interiors reflect a blend of modern design and urban flair, with generous open-plan layouts perfect for entertaining family and friends.

Alam went on to say that the three-bedroom homes have been selling extremely well.

“The smaller townhomes have been very popular with first-time homebuyers. … They are obviously at a lower price point, starting at just over a million,” she says. “Upstairs, there are little den areas adjacent to the kitchen. Some buyers are creating coffee bars, while others have made them into little play areas or dens.”

Another big draw for young families is Terrain’s proximity to a great school system and daycares, as well as the community’s three-acre Hub Park, with ponds that connect to the existing trail system.

Project: Terrain

Project address: 41159 Garibaldi Springs Way, Squamish

Developer: Polygon Terrain Homes Ltd.

Architect: Ekistics

Interior designer: Polygon Interior Design

Project size: 127 homes

Number of bedrooms: Three and four bedrooms wood-framed townhomes

Price: Starting from $1,068,000

Sales centre: 41159 Garibaldi Springs Way, Squamish

Centre hours: Open daily from noon to 5 p.m. (closed Fridays)

Phone: 604.757.5550

Website: polyhomes.com/community/terrain/

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Are you a garden gambler? Good gamblers usually win more than they lose, but in the garden we all take a gamble. Unforeseen bad weather, insects, disease and lack of time or attention are all risks we face every year, but good garden gamblers aren’t just lucky, they stack the odds in their favour.

As a new season begins, let’s play the odds to our advantage. First, we need to get to know Mother Nature a little better. She loves to fool us with some very nice weather early on. Sunny March days when the temperature bumps up to 15-18°C is a garden motivator like nothing else. Gardeners almost feel a little tardy in getting some early varieties going. We tend to think it’s going to be an early spring so we should take advantage of the weather and start planting.

Unfortunately, clear sunny days are followed by cold frosty nights and, with no cloud protection, white frost can appear in the early mornings, damaging some of those optimistic plantings.

We can mitigate some of the cold by using raised beds and Remay coverings to keep the soil and plants warmer, but we need to question our rationale. Every day now the sun in our Northern Hemisphere gives us about one minute more daylight, and as the sun’s angle gets higher, a little more warmth as well.

A good gambler would look at this and say, “Why not wait a little longer to do my early planting?” The bragging rights of having the earliest lettuce, spinach or peas don’t outweigh the benefits of planting a later crop with less risk and better production.

Soil preparation is another example of logic vs. luck. Heavy, wet soils are the No. 1 reason plants don’t thrive and are your biggest risk for failure. On the other hand, well-prepared soils increase your chances of success more than you can imagine. Your plants will take off more quickly, grow more vigorously, resist disease more effectively, and mature into beautiful specimens.

The practice of regenerative gardening means less digging, rototilling and, overall, less soil disturbance. To establish a “no-till” garden, seasonal additions of organic matter like mushroom compost or other more fibrous material will keep your soils more open and looser. When you’ve got the texture just right, all you need to do is rake it out and you’re ready to go.

Seeds or transplants? Which are better for you? As a rule of thumb, planting larger seeds later is a good decision. For instance, peas, beans and broad beans germinate easily and are inexpensive to grow, but they still should not be direct seeded outdoors until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has reached a consistent night temperature of 10°C.

Smaller seeds, like onions, lettuce and brassicas, are best pre-started in plug trays or small packs, and the new plantable pots. It often takes growers a month or more to produce a saleable young transplant, and when you consider the time factor, I would gamble on the pre-started plants for my garden. You are almost guaranteed success and have saved four to six weeks of time and maintenance.

Once you set plants out in your garden, you are arranging a buffet for a whole host of slugs, insects, rodents, rabbits, and yes, even our garden friendly birds.

It’s important to remember, early in the season, there is little else for wildlife to eat, and your garden is their best bet. Later in the season, as grass, weeds, leaves, and many native perennial plants begin to grow, wildlife has lots of alternatives, but meantime, be prepared.

If you’re a novice gambler, you will just leave them there and hope for the best. Garden wise gamblers will not take that chance. Setting out pet-safe slug baits and deterrents and covering your young plants with Remay or row cover materials dramatically increases your odds of a favourable outcome.

Another success factor here is observation. You need to be out there daily to check not only the condition of your plants, but also to look for signs of any small intruders. Nibbled leaves, slug slime trails, and aphid droppings are all evidence a good garden detective will quickly pick up on and remedy as quickly as possible.

Early in the season, plants grow quite slowly. When we get consistently warmer day and night temperatures, plants can grow two or three times more quickly so your chances of success are far greater.

I’ve learned a great deal from many seasoned gardeners. These are folks who have a passion for gardening and love to share their experiences and expertise. They seem to have one thing in common which is a strong preference for certain plant varieties and they are quite resistant to change. I’m always encouraging them to try newer, more exciting introductions, but with limited success! Their reluctance comes from experience and their own positive results with the varieties they grow. They are less willing to gamble on new plants when they have seen continued success with favourites they know and trust.

When folks share their gardening success stories, I always ask them which varieties worked the best and honestly, sometimes they forget. Keeping an ongoing garden journal for timely notes, best varieties, care, and feeding tips you’ve learned and had success with along the way takes away a lot of uncertainty out of planting year after year.

As I said, gardening is a gamble, but a good one. It teaches us so much about soils, nutrients, timing for planting and plant care, and watching weather patterns. It also makes us very aware that we need to focus on our plants and protect them as well as enjoy them.

Nature loves to play with us and at times throw a punch or two, but she is also the best teacher, if we learn to observe, listen, and learn. The more we do that, the less gardening remains a gamble and becomes more of a safe bet.

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Architects and interior designers have long enlisted tools to help them analyze design concepts and communicate their ideas. Visualizing something that doesn’t already exist — then illustrating it in a way for others to understand — is the essence of the profession.

Before digital tools became mainstream, renderers would sit down with architectural plans and hand-sketch and paint illustrations. These works were used in marketing materials, client approvals and more. Then, software like AutoCAD entered the scene, speeding up the process and shifting the skill set from hand drawing to graphic design.

Today, the profession is evolving once again with architects and designers leveraging the power of AI for renderings and real time mock-ups. Bao-Nghi Nhan, partner and director of architecture at Vancouver’s McKinley Studios, whose team has already integrated a number of AI tools into its processes, believes that accepting and embracing the technology will put firms ahead of the competition. “Early adopters will likely be in demand,” she says.

In creating the client-facing renderings for a waterfront Chesterman Beach home in Tofino, which at press time was under construction, McKinley Studios used AI tools for concepts, to accentuate fine details in renderings, and for client presentations.

During the early exploration phase of the firm’s prefabricated Commonplace homes project, McKinley used AI scripts to mock up a variety of design options, and to analyze how the homes would potentially sit on different land sites. “We were able to site test and review multiple options in a [much shorter] time period,” says Nhan. Once the renderings were finalized, the team also used AI to refine the visuals. Nhan credits AI for streamlining internal processes at the beginning of the project, improving client communication, and boosting client buy-in in the early design phases.

AI tools can be impressively speedy and create sleek outputs, but Nhan says they can’t replace human ideation and intuition; designers and architects need to maintain their role as curators and thinkers to avoid generic results. “All tools, whether they be 3D modelling, drafting, BIM or AI tools should be used with intention, and grounded by the author’s conceptual framework,” she says.

Like McKinley Studios, Jamie Banfield Design has also integrated AI software into their design workflow for interior and architectural design. They use AI image-generation tools Midjourney, DALL·E, and Stable Diffusion to brainstorm concepts, develop mood boards, and explore different design directions. “This allows us to quickly explore the form and function of a space, helping to avoid expensive on-site errors or late-stage changes of direction before committing to detailed modelling,” says Banfield.

When it comes to reviewing, co-ordinating, and editing design PDFs, and communicating across consultants, trades, and permitting authorities, Banfield draws on AI design collaboration tool Bluebeam Revu. “AI helps us pressure-test ideas,” he explains, enabling his team to make better-informed decisions. “[This elevates] the quality of our work and strengthens collaboration.”

So are design professionals concerned about AI’s impact on the job market? Banfield believes the AI evolution will change designers’ roles — but could actually make their work even more interesting. He sees video communication, avatars, and AI-assisted visualization replacing the need for hand-sketching and streamlining communication. “[With AI] information can be shared more clearly and consistently across teams and time zones, reducing bias, misinterpretation, and reliance on static drawings alone.”

Designers will then have bandwidth to focus more on higher level strategy. “This shift allows designers to sit more confidently in the problem-solving and strategic seat, guiding outcomes rather than simply producing documents.”

But Banfield says he’s not worried AI will replace the need for human designers and architects. “AI doesn’t replace authorship, judgment, or responsibility, it amplifies them. When used thoughtfully, these tools allow us to design more responsibly, communicate more clearly, and spend more time on the parts of our work that truly matter: understanding people, responding to context, and shaping meaningful spaces.”

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

535 Gower Point Rd., Gibsons

Type: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom detached

Size: 1,173 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $843,000

Listed for: $1,388,000

Sold for: $1,360,000

Sold on: Nov. 28

Days on market in this listing: 21

Listing agent: Leslee Cooper at ReMax Select Properties

Buyers agent: Melissa Grant at ReMax City Realty

The big sell: With a name that conjures up sweetness and charm, Magnolia Cottage is a two-bedroom one-level cottage that oozes appeal and modern comforts thanks to a comprehensive renovation. The front door opens to a skylit hallway with exposed beams and engineered hardwood floors. There are new vinyl windows, Hardie board siding and fresh exterior paintwork, remote control window coverings, black Riobel fixtures, a linear gas fireplace with a wooden mantel, Shaker-style cabinets, quartz countertops, and integrated stainless-steel appliances including a wine fridge. Outside, the updates continue with Duradek front and back decks, a covered pergola with overhead heaters, a gas firepit, and enough space for long-table dinners with family and friends. The property is situated in Lower Gibsons with shops, restaurants, the public market, marina and sandy beaches all within walking distance, plus it receives Gibsons’ Aquifer water.

2 — 365 East 33rd Ave., Vancouver

Type: Three-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse

Size: 1,323 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,453,000

Listed for: $1,399,000

Sold for: $1,399,000

Sold on: Dec. 12

Days on market in this listing: 44

Listing agent: Jessica Chen PREC at Oakwyn Realty

Buyers agent: Lara Davis PREC at Oakwyn Realty Northwest

The big sell: This two-level townhome forms part of Ello, a 12-unit boutique development designed by Vandwell Developments in east Vancouver’s Riley Park neighbourhood close to the amenities that line Main Street. The recently-completed home has stylish touches throughout with a Dekton backsplash, Silestone countertops, brushed gunmetal plumbing fixtures, wide-plank engineered floors, designer lighting, large-format matte textured tiles, and white oak millwork accents. All three bedrooms are on the upper floor alongside walk-in closets, two bathrooms, and laundry. The main floor has been thoughtfully configured with dimensions that cover more than 600 square feet with a kitchen island, ample counter and storage space, designated dining and living room areas, and oversized Westeck sliding glass doors that open to a private patio complete with outdoor fireplace.

412 — 1216 Homer St., Vancouver

Type: Zero-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment

Size: 469 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $453,000

Listed for: $550,000

Sold for: $510,000

Sold on: Nov. 24

Days on market in this listing: 109

Listing agent: Nickola Dawn and Clarence Lowe PREC at Dexter Realty

Buyers agent: Adam Chahl PREC at Oakwyn Realty

The big sell: Yaletown’s Murchies Building at the corner of Homer and Davie streets was originally built in 1912 as a warehouse for the Murchie’s Tea and Coffee company before being converted into 59 loft-style residences in the late 1990s. On the fourth floor of the building is this studio with nine-foot-high ceilings, exposed concrete beams and brickwork, reclaimed fir floors, and a noteworthy Suquet stone fireplace. A custom built-in Murphy bed optimizes space while a sleek kitchen showcases quartz waterfall counters and stainless-steel appliances, and the bathroom is resplendent with elegant tiling and extra storage. The unit comes with a large external storage locker and a monthly maintenance fee of $293.20. The six-storey heritage building offers a common rooftop patio with panoramic city views for residents .

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

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

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Open floor plans and more informal lifestyles have seen dining rooms go the way of the dodo in past decades, says architect, author and cook, John Ota. They’re seen as too fussy, too formal and a luxury in terms of space.

Ota is making a case for the return of the dining room, with his new book out in late March, The Dining Room, and it’s a pretty convincing one.

Dining rooms have brought people together for centuries, allowing knowledge, traditions and family values to be handed down in a significant way, he says. You don’t need a dining room to do this, but if you can swing it, it’s pretty nice.

Ota wrote first about kitchens, releasing The Kitchen: A journey through history in search of perfect design, in 2020, and then turned his attention to the room next door.

“I wanted to explore the dining room, because while I was doing the kitchen, people would say ‘the dining room is dead,’ and I thought, geez, that doesn’t sound very good to me,” he says.

Ota also had personal motivation, in that his wife had been gravely ill and recently recovered, and he wanted to celebrate this, surrounded by the people they love.

“When she had a significant birthday coming up, I knew it was time for a big celebration, a big dinner and a new dining room. Before I started to redesign, I wanted to know everything about the dining room.”

Visiting famous dining rooms around the world

Ota travelled widely for his research, visiting the dining rooms of Jackie Kennedy, Claude Monet, Frida Kahlo and Martin Luther King Jr., among others.

Dining rooms are where people gather to talk, and great things have come from these conversations, he says.

In Monet’s home in Giverny, France, the dining room walls are painted a glowing yellow. Ota believes that colour was deliberate, even if Monet never formally explained it.

“For the impressionists, yellow was more than just a pretty colour. It was a connection to nature, light and the sun,” he says.

In Atlanta, at the childhood home of Martin Luther King Jr, the dining room played a profound role. It was at the dining table that King’s parents first explained racial prejudice to him after he was forbidden from visiting a friend, says Ota. The dining room is where King first developed his ideas and thoughts.

One of the most fascinating things Ota observed in historic dining rooms was the importance of light. Before electricity, rooms were designed to respond to candlelight. Gold edging on china, gold flocked wallpaper, and even gold leaf ceilings were there to catch the flicker.

“I think one of the things we might have lost is that love of the candlelight,” he says.

It’s such a simple idea. You don’t need a stately home, you can simply dim the lights, light a candle and soften the mood. The glow flatters everyone and slows the pace.

“It’s not about the perfect dish, it’s not about the perfect chair or the perfect clothing. It’s really about getting together.”

In a world obsessed with perfect kitchens and matching chairs, perhaps the more radical act is simply to invite people over.

A separate dining room is not that common in most homes today, says Ota. Instead, we have open-plan spaces where kitchen, living and dining areas flow together. He sees this as part of a broader shift toward informality:

“The separate, stand-alone dining room is less common and harder to find now in the 21st century.”

Ota doesn’t see this as a loss, but rather an evolution. His friends have a space in their home they call ‘the great room’ where they often host their friends and family, and people love to go there, he says.

In great rooms, chairs do not need to match, dishes can be eclectic, and the mood can be easy.

If anything, that informality may encourage more frequent gatherings. You don’t need to stage a banquet. A long Sunday lunch with mismatched plates can be just as meaningful, says Ota.

Small gestures, big impact

During his dining room research, Ota learned that Martha Washington was known for greeting her guests at the door with lemonade sprinkled with cinnamon. Edith Wharton welcomed visitors with champagne.

No butler or silver tray required, says Ota. But he picked up some simple tips for good hosting: Keep sparkling water chilled. Set up a simple drinks station near the entry and offer your guests something refreshing as soon as they arrive, as it sets a nice tone.

Ota also believes the buffet is the way forward in our era of dietary preferences and restrictions. It removes pressure and lets guests choose what works for them. It feels generous and relaxed.

After his wife Franny recovered from a serious stroke, Ota did renovate their dining room and host a large birthday celebration for her. It was not about the table settings, but gratitude, he says.

“We know we’re lucky.”

John Ota’s new book, The Dining Room: Exploring the design of twelve iconic rooms in search of the perfect dining experience, is available March 24. There will be a Vancouver book launch at Inform Interiors on April 7 .

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When it comes to finding inspiration for a renovation, the starting points can be seemingly endless. They can come from the designer, from one of the owner’s travel souvenirs or from the surrounding neighbourhood.

The latter was the case with this renovation of a loft kitchen in Gastown. Here, the owners brought forward a bold design vision.

“It’s in an older building that is quite industrial and the clients wanted the space to feel industrial, dark and moody,” says interior designer Janie Hungerford, who oversaw the renovation in the 2,406-square-foot loft.

A kitchen is often the focal point in a home, and in this case, it was even more of a priority, given that the owners — a couple who work remotely — love to entertain.

In terms of layout, the design team started with a blank slate in a sense: a “builder spec” kitchen with weird angles.

“There was no flow, and a really large space in the middle,” Hungerford says. “So the work triangle was not functioning very well and was dated.”

So the team went to work reconfiguring the space, placing an expansive waterfall island with textured concrete as the focal point of the room, positioned for a spectacular view of the North Shore mountains from the perspective of the chef.

“The stone is quite textured to contrast with the smooth surface [of the matte black-stained red oak cabinets] and then there’s the drama of it all being dark and masculine in tone,” Hungerford says. The island allows guests to sit on bar stools facing the kitchen or swing around to face the adjoining living room with its original exposed concrete ceiling and brick wall.

At first glance, the kitchen’s matte black cabinets are sleek and minimalist, but inside they’re functional powerhouses. Designed for everyday living and cooking, they feature deep storage for pots and pans, plus integrated appliances for a cohesive, seamless look.

One of the challenges of working with dark hues in a residential home is ensuring a space feels warm and comfortable, and also bright enough for daily living. Hungerford’s selection of layered greys in different textures, including Missoni textiles and sculptural ceramics, plus brushed steel fixtures merges to create an intimate, welcoming space.

“And, of course, working with really good lighting is important,” Hungerford explains, noting that the original large windows allow natural light to stream in. Proof of the age-old art and design adage, that beauty lives at the intersection of dark and light.

Interior design: Hungerford Interior Design

Builder: Marino General Contracting

5 tips from Janie Hungerford

1. Dark matte paint adds depth and sophistication, while minimizing glare, creating a cosy, enveloping atmosphere that works beautifully in bedrooms and dining rooms or on accent walls.
2. Use varied materials like velvet, mohair, wood, patinated metal and stone to add depth and warmth to dark surfaces.
3. When designing a moody room, consider how palette, material, form and scale come together. Choose every piece intentionally to complement the others.
4. Combine ambient, task and accent lighting to highlight features and maintain a welcoming atmosphere.
5. In a dark space, ceiling details like coves, trays, coffered ceilings, wood panelling or subtle metallic/textured finishes with integrated lighting add depth, drama and dimension.

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The old adage that good things come in small packages might well describe the Trifecta house. Situated in an east Vancouver neighbourhood, this 911-square-foot, two bedroom and two bathroom laneway house is essentially the prototype for a new, innovative approach to constructing infill housing — or potentially larger residences.

The unique building system, created by custom homebuilders Smallworks and inspired in part by the CMHC Innovation program, allows homes to be constructed faster and more economically than a conventional build. The Trifecta system is composed of three different components for constructing a home in an existing neighbourhood, says Akua Schatz, partner and head of operations for Smallworks.

“We looked at the way we were building up until now, and thought, ‘okay how can we still create a customized home for people,’ because we’re often working with families who are looking either to house their aging parents or, in this case, adult children looking to have their starter home? So how do we kind of personalize this but also make it so it’s more efficient to build?”

This case, that Schatz references, is the Trifecta prototype built for Maggie Chao and William Bowden. Having returned from living abroad, the couple, wanting out of a rental situation, was looking for an affordable and permanent residential option in Vancouver. Bowden’s parents initially floated the idea of a carriage house on their property which the couple at first rejected but soon came around to the idea after exploring the city’s real estate landscape.

“Staying in Vancouver was a big priority for us,” Chao recounts. “We both grew up in East Van. We grew up in the neighbourhood right by Commercial Drive. Having the opportunity to be able to stay in the neighbourhood is very different and we feel very fortunate to be able to do that. A laneway house was the only way we would have been able to make that work.”

Through research and chatting with friends, the couple decided to work with Smallworks which provides a complete design and construction service — they also have a full millwork production department.

“One of the things … I really noticed when you’re working with a really smaller footprint, the design becomes very, very important,” Chao notes. “We toured a couple of Smallworks’ laneway houses before we made the final decision. They just felt more thoughtfully designed in terms of how they were using the space and maximizing the obviously more limited square footage.”

The CMHC Innovation grant, which offset some of the $675,000 cost of the construction allowed for some upgrades such as the HVAC system, was a welcome bonus for the pair, and opting for the Trifecta house meant getting into their home sooner — four months earlier than a conventional build according to Smallworks.

This brainchild, produced by the three Smallworks partners Jake Fry, Luke Harrison and Schatz, is characterized as a Lego block approach to housing, she says. Or simply, the three Ps: panels, pods and piles. The system utilizes pre-fab closed-wall panels, which have insulation and weatherproofing, for the floors, walls and roof that come together and are assembled on site. The second piece of the system is the bathroom pod which becomes the infrastructural heart of the home from which all the electrical and plumbing comes.

“The bathroom is kind of fully done,” Schatz explains. “It’s in a box. It also has an attached mechanical room to it, and, what they call in the industry, a wet wall. A wet wall is just a place where you can hang on things, like a kitchen for instance.”

This eliminates the need for the various trades involved in putting bathrooms together — electrical, plumbing, tiling, painting, drywalling — to do the work on site.

“So you get this concentration that usually gets staggered over weeks and weeks and weeks to do each piece. If you can condense that down, you’ve got all your piping and wiring emerging from that because you have the bathroom with an attached mechanical room.”

The third component of the system is installing steel piles for the foundation rather that pouring concrete which is both expensive and takes time to set and cure.

“It’s an old technology, this idea of basically drilling into the ground and putting your home on top of those raised sort of pillars,” Schatz says. “They’re made out of steel. They’re like a giant screw. You’re screwing in a steel pile [into the ground.]”

While the innovative system presented a significant cost and time benefit for Chao and Bowden and allowed for a dedicated outdoor space for them, the interior floor plan and esthetic delivered the top items on their wish list: a light-filled open-plan living space that allowed for a spacious kitchen where the pair could comfortably cook together and entertain friends and family.

“We sent our designer Autumn (Riggan) a slide show of inspiration images that we had gathered from Pinterest of other living spaces and homes that we liked and could imagine ourselves living in,” Chao says. “Autumn did the initial work in terms of bringing together finishes that she felt matched that esthetic which was really helpful. I’m not very visually design inclined.”

The result is a modern, warm living space that, thanks to an abundant use of natural materials and neutral palette, has a timeless quality.

“The light in the space is really, really good,” Chao adds. “We really maximized the windows and glazing. We have really nice views out into Will’s mum’s garden. I can bring the green outside in.”

Schatz says the couple’s experience is usual practice for Smallworks as the firm has a design team that works with each homeowner or family to understand what their needs are and then design a home that brings that vision to fruition.

For Bowden and Chao opting for a laneway home and specifically one produced with an innovative approach was the right choice for them.

“On many levels it was the right decision for us: housing security, having a place we really like and also being close to family, and also being in Vancouver and staying in Vancouver,” Bowden observes.

It seems the Trifecta method is appealing to other prospective homeowners as well; Smallworks is in the process of building their third laneway home using this method since completing the couple’s home in October 2025.

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Blink and you might miss it. Set within a cliffside lot on Bowen Island overlooking the ocean, the custom-built, green-roofed home nearly disappears into the landscape when seen from the road above.

The 1,000-square-foot, two-bedroom residence, designed by GNAR Inc. and built by Alair Homes, was shaped by the land itself—the contours, the views and the clients’ desire for a secluded escape to nature.

For Mark Kavanagh, the lead sustainable building designer, this approach is a core philosophy: buildings should respond to a site, not impose on it.

“It’s not just a building that you could take and drop anywhere,” he says. “It’s a building that reflects the history, topography and shape of the land.”

For years, the clients had envisioned a modest getaway engulfed in nature, a quiet place to unwind, with room to host friends and family. The resulting timber home is nearly off-grid, sunken into the hillside with rooftop solar panels and a wraparound deck larger than the house itself.

Kavanagh began by learning more about the site. Bowen Island, once a hunting and gathering ground for the Squamish Nation and a neutral meeting point for various Indigenous groups, led him to study traditional structures adapted to the land. One that stood out was the pit house: a dwelling partially dug into the ground with an earth-covered roof, built for insulation and protection from the elements.

Rather than replicating its shape, Kavanagh used its principles to guide the design. “I didn’t want to just take the roof of a pit house and drop it in,” he explains. “I wanted to use it for the same reason they used it—for privacy and efficient flow of air—and adapt that to the specific site.”

The home’s form emerged from the natural slope. “There’s this nice naturally occurring flat zone, which then drops off and is super steep again,” Kavanagh says. “It was all driven by the site.” Carving into this pocket created a usable main level and generous deck, with the surrounding earth providing natural insulation and a split-level plan that follows the topography. The low profile also keeps the building discreet from passersby, minimizing its impact on the view.

The green roof, the home’s defining feature, is covered in native grasses and fades into the rocky terrain. “It’s only when you get close and look down that you realize that there’s something under,” Kavanagh says.

The palette was just as intentional. Working with Allester Engineering, the team created a structure made almost entirely of timber, limiting steel to just one central post. Outside, it’s wrapped in locally sourced, thermally modified hemlock, a warm finish that nods to the island’s roots. “Everything is chosen for a reason to reflect the history,” Kavanagh says.

Construction wasn’t always straight- forward: Few square angles, a steep lot and 400-pound windows meant the team had to plan everything. But for Alair partner Jason Zavitz, that complexity was part of the fun.

“We traditionally build boxes,” he says. “So it’s nice to build something a little different.”

Despite some logistical head-scratching, many early decisions—like choosing local wood over steel—helped the process. If something didn’t fit, the team wasn’t stuck waiting on custom steel parts to be redelivered. “It’s a big deal to ferry it back, get a change and bring it back over,” Kavanagh says. Many of those decisions tied back to landscape-led methods used for generations by people who understood the land.

“The ideas that we brought right from the start helped the project as we went along,” he says. “There’s a reason, and it helped us build this house.”

Zavitz still drops by the site whenever he’s on the island—making sure the roof is weathering the seasons, revisiting a favourite project he watched grow from seedlings to grasses now several feet tall.

“The roof had to be something special because it’s about the only thing that you can see [from the road],” he says. “That was the point where we realized this house is finally alive. It’s become itself.”

Building design: GNAR Inc.

Builder/Contractor:   Alair Homes

Structural engineer: Allester Engineering

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“If you’re lucky enough to live by the water, you’re lucky enough,” as the saying goes. But some would say you’re even luckier if you live on the water, literally, as in a float home.

“Every time you look out the window there’s something to see, whether it’s an eagle soaring, a fish jumping, ducks and their ducklings gliding by, the swans that come every year, or simply the mountains,” says Marilyn Yeo, listing agent for the two-bedroom, three-bathroom float home along the Fraser River in Ladner. “Some float homes have narrow windows based on the structure. But these owners wanted really large windows, so there are unobstructed views all the way from one side of the house to the other. It’s like you’re looking out at living art.”

And if you like to fish, you can simply step out onto your deck and cast a line for salmon, trout, even sturgeon, depending on the season. Or walk 20 steps and hop aboard your boat, tied to your private 60-foot dock, and motor to a secluded island for the day, over to Steveston Village for lunch, or farther out into open waters. Or just enjoy the view from your spacious deck or multitude of windows, including a huge picture window in the kitchen.

A walkway ramp that rises and lowers depending on the flow of the river leads to the two-storey, 2,191-square foot float home that was custom-built in 2016 by Pinnacle Homes. It also features 700 square feet of composite decking on the top floor, which the owners designed as a party patio.

What floats your boat home

According to the Floating Home Association of BC, there are more than 800 float homes in the province, moored in marinas, along rivers and lakeshores in Southern Vancouver Island, Granville Island, Coal Harbour, Richmond, New Westminster, Maple Ridge, and Ladner.

This one on River Road, built 16 km upriver at a marine build yard in Delta, presented a challenge for floating home engineer Matt Tobias because he’d never built one with so much glass, requiring extra care not only while assembling but while towing. The structure has 40 glass panels and railings, as well as 30 windows, including the large picture window in the kitchen, all comprising two tons of custom-made glass.

Float homes are built differently than a conventional home, since they rest on water rather than land. As told by the crew during video documentation of the project, they first assembled the floating foundation, a level base made of blocks of polystyrene foam, which are light and float on water like a cork. They then cut trenches into the blocks to accommodate water pipes and utilities, wrap steel bars over the top for structural strength, and finally encase the whole base in 112 tons of waterproof concrete to form the unsinkable platform. More concrete on the lower floor covers 2,000 feet of water pipes, which are the main heat source during the winter.

The 1,700-square foot foundation holds 60 tons of wood and glass above the water line. Once the wooden frame is complete, workers wrap it in a six-inch layer of insulation, then seal it with panels of concrete composite, which they say is more durable than wood or bricks, to protect the house from the elements.

When it came time to launch the 190-ton home, the team said it was “nerve-racking” because of all that glass. They eased it less than an inch per minute down the ramp into the water. They then had it towed to Ladner, moving slowly through waves and around boat traffic, where they carefully turned it around and backed it into its tight mooring.

Most float home walls are built right to the edge of the floating foundation to maximize space inside, but these walls were set three feet inside the edge to allow for a lower-floor wraparound walkway for access to all four sides of the property. The walkway features plenty of cleats for friends to tie up their boats and come aboard for a barbecue. The outdoor kitchen has a grill with wood-fired pizza oven, built-in sink, and lots of counter and lounge space, as well as a hot tub.

A three-car garage behind the home includes refrigeration, a gas fireplace, built-in storage for tools, life-jackets, rope, etc., as well as ceiling racks for fishing rods. There’s also a boat lift to hoist your vessel out of the water for repair or storage.

What’s inside

Reflecting all that nature outside, the visionaries at Dabrowski Design incorporated natural elements and materials inside. Wide-plank oiled walnut wood flooring extends to feature walls. Cabinets are by Delta-based Hi-Design Custom Cabinetry Ltd. with Richelieu hardware. Floor-to-ceiling white pantry space allows for plenty of storage. White walls, ceilings, countertops and island boost the brightness streaming through the windows.

Lighting fixtures are via Vogue Lighting, while the powder room features a Graciano Suspension Bubble Chandelier. Bathroom floor and wall tiles are custom made by Cera Stone Ltd.

The primary bedroom’s en suite features a large floating vanity, roomy shower with rainfall shower head and built-in bench. There’s also a walk-in closet with plenty of storage. The powder room off the entranceway has a unique mosaic backsplash tile.

Kitchen appliances, including a wall steam oven, 70-bottle wine refrigerator, and a six-burner gas cooktop, are by Thermador.

Custom-designed mantel frames adorn two horizontal form gas fireplaces that cosy up the space.

An enclosed laundry room houses a full-sized washer and dryer just off the primary suite, which also features an oiled walnut panel wall to tie into the flooring.

Upstairs, the entertainment space has expansive windows to take in the views, a wall wired for a large-sized TV, and a full wet bar with sink, refrigerator, and bar seating for six — perfect for inside-outside entertaining, thanks to folding windows. Double doors lead to a covered and heated outdoor space for use year-round. This deck faces west, ideal for taking in stunning sunsets.

Another lounge area sits next to a second bedroom and third bathroom with floating vanity and full bathtub.

Integrated Contol4 smart technology connects lighting, entertainment apps, and security systems controlled from your smartphone.

Utilities and maintenance fees are similar to a residential home, with typical services including electricity, water, and routine upkeep of the float structure, dock, and related systems. The property encompasses two lots, the second at 4389 W. River Road, that could be used to build another float home.

As for misconceptions that float homes rock ‘n’ roll in high winds or strong wake, Yeo says modern float homes are engineered for stability and do not noticeably rock in normal conditions. “I’ve been (at the home) in all weather conditions — rainy, windy — and it’s really solid. I haven’t even noticed that the tide has gone up or down; you only notice it when the water line against the grass has gone up. I’m sure if it’s really windy and choppy you might feel it a bit. But there are weights on each corner and, because of the design, being more flat and spread out, you’re not going to (feel it) the same as if you were in a three-storey high, more narrow float home.”

In the neighbourhood

This is not a neighbourhood with services a walk away, but schools, shops, grocery stores and restaurants are minutes away by car or bike. There are also plenty of parks for recreation, and, of course, the river for boating, sailing, fishing or simply gazing at the living art floating by.

“It’s a really special, friendly community” of like-minded residents, says Yeo. “The current owners poured their hearts into this home. It’s been taken care of meticulously. They hope buyers will love it as much as they have and appreciate the beauty and nature that surrounds the home.”

Location: 4379 W. River Road, Ladner

Listed for: $3,650,000

Year built: 2016

Type: Two bedrooms, three bathrooms

Size: 2,191 sq ft

Realtor: Listed by Marilyn Yeo Real Estate, Engel & Völkers Ocean Park

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

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In the 1950s, dishwashers revolutionized kitchen cleanup, streamlining things for home cooks. Then it was the microwave. Today, AI-powered appliances, smart kitchen tech and voice-enabled gadgets are taking cookery into the future.

It may be some time before fully independent kitchen robots like the Italian-made Moley — it can pour, stir and make an entire stovetop meal without human assistance — will be available to Canadian consumers, but the technology is developing. Case in point: Appetronix was named a Foodtech Frontier 25 Rising Star by the Canadian Food Innovation Network for its AI-powered kitchen. The 100-per-cent automated system is designed to run a restaurant kitchen without any on-site employees, similar to the robotic back-of-house and serving systems at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Until this type of technology is available at home, there’s an array of tech-forward solutions like these designed to make prep, cleanup and cooking easier than ever.

• Charge your device while you chop vegetables with an integrated countertop charger. By integrating FreePower’s wireless technology, Cosentino has transformed its Dekton and Silestone stone surfaces into functional powerhouses. Pricing available on request.

• Transform your morning caffeine routine with Thermador’s built-in stainless steel coffee machine. With its MyCoffee feature, you can store your family’s drink orders by name, and the Wi-Fi enabled system lets you connect to Amazon Alexa for voice-activated brewing. $9,159
• Take the guesswork out of your weekly fridge restock with Thermador’s smart refrigerators like this built-in french door model. They’re fitted with built-in cameras that snap a pic of the contents, which you can access via the app while you’re wandering the grocery aisles. $31,009
• With Miele’s built-in microwave ovens integrated with Amazon Alexa and Miele@home, voice activation can reheat your leftovers faster than you can say “hangry.” $2,249

• Until we have humanoid robots to do our dishes, we have the ultra-energy-efficient 24-inch built-in dishwasher from LG. It’s ENERGY STAR certified, and reviewers say it hits the sweet spot of powerful cleaning with low noise and sensor-informed wash cycles. $599.99 | Bestbuy.ca

• Love cooking, but loathe the tedious prep? Enlist the Thermomix TM7 as your sous chef. The “all-in-one kitchen robot” merges the functions of over 20 appliances, and can weigh and chop ingredients, steam, cook and guide you step by step via its touchscreen. $2,299 |
• Gone are the days where you have to open the door to check if the cookies are burning. The Samsung 30-inch smart induction slide-in range uses AI to automatically adjust temperature and time to ensure your baking turns out perfectly. Choose from multiple cooking modes, including air-fry, slow cook and convection bake. $3,699

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I love the U.S.-based Garden Media Group, which each year tracks statistics and publishes brilliant assessments of the latest gardening trends, trends that change annually as folks navigate our fast-changing world.

Its overall theme for this year is “lemonading,” which it says transforms “setbacks into opportunities through creativity, mindfulness and a sense of joy.”

Failure is not always negative. Often, it can be a great incentive because it is part of the process of discovering new opportunities. It can break the fear of being wrong and trigger a more playful, lighthearted relationship with our gardens.

We live in a world of exhaustion and burnout, and simplicity and beauty are the antidotes. Success is being redefined as emotional well-being, and our gardens can make a significant contribution to this important approach to health and wellness.

Gardens that are more connective and multi-sensory will be one of the most important trends in 2026. Most gardens need to be more visually impactful by using design and colour in more creative and dramatic ways. Fragrance is also an essential component of a sensory garden. By choosing plants that provide perfume over a long period of time — from sarcococcas in winter, daphnes in spring to clethras in summer and Pink Dawn viburnums in fall — our gardens can be fragrant havens each season.

Tactile plants are also very important to any garden. PJM rhododendrons feel soft and effuse a wonderful lavender perfume, as do lavender and rosemary.

The sounds of water, from tiny bubbling fountains to tumbling waterfalls, are a comforting sensory experience. Many trees, like columnar aspens, have leaves that flutter in the wind and are important to the sound of a landscape.

Finding new and exciting trees or plants is also part of the new botanical bent. More exotic fruits, like persimmons, pawpaws and figs, are part of tomorrow’s garden collection.

Some plants bloom twice a year, adding additional colour, so play a far larger role in our gardens.

Making our gardens more pet friendly is also a big trend. “Barkitecture” can include the provision of shade during summers, grass to lay on and small sections for our pets to call their own, with water, shelter and a little seclusion.

Part of “lemonading” is the concept of treating gardening as an exploratory and learning adventure. If a plant dies or doesn’t work out for whatever reason, consider it an opportunity to discover something new and fun. Embracing your garden as a happy place that brings joy, in spite of any challenges, is the new perspective of gardening.

Gardens should be fun, exciting and spaces you look forward to enjoying. A comfortable bench, chair or piece of antique furniture is now very much an integral part of your garden experience when you escape to your new play area.

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Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.

Vancouver entrepreneur Lyndon Cormack is best known as co-founder of Herschel Supply Company , the global accessories brand that’s helped put the city on the design map. Now he’s turning his attention indoors.

Cormack, alongside Phoebe Glasfurd and Aren Fieldwalker of creative studio Glasfurd & Walker , has launched Typical , a Vancouver-based home goods brand focused on elevating everyday essentials.

Typical launched this month with The Typical Stretch Towel, made from 98 per cent cotton and two per cent spandex. It’s a combination of traditional terry with stretch, a feature more commonly associated with performance apparel than bath linens.

Why a towel?

“We wanted to start with something truly everyday” says Cormack. “Towels live quietly in our homes, our bathrooms, our hotels and our routines. They are a part of how we start and end our days. And yet, despite how universal they are, the category has never really had a strong point of view.”

Cormack says this idea grew from noticing how commodified the category had become. When you ask people what their favourite bath towel brand is, they often don’t know.

“That told us something. It felt like a category that had become overly commodified and emotionally disconnected, despite its importance in daily life. We believed it deserved more intention, more design thinking and more care.”

They had something of a breakthrough when they asked themselves the simple question: Why don’t towels stretch?

“When we began prototyping towels with stretch, the improvement was immediate and surprising,” says Cormack. “The towel wrapped better, stayed in place, moved with the body and simply felt more intuitive to use,” he says.

They’re not trying to reinvent the bathroom, just to make one of its most essential objects work better and feel more considered, says Cormack.

Typical approaches the bath category with a design-first perspective. The towels feature bold patterns, strong colours and graphic prints. They’re designed to be seen.

Glasfurd says tactility was central to their design process.

“We wanted to create something that feels considered both visually and physically,” she says. “The stretch, the patterns, the colour choices all work together to turn a utility into something you connect with.”

A stack of patterned towels on open shelving or a bold bath sheet draped over a tub can shift the tone of a room without renovation.

How does Typical compare to Herschel?

Cormack describes the journey as both different and familiar. “Herschel was bootstrapped almost sixteen years ago. Back then, we were learning everything as we went.”

With Typical, experience offers perspective but not shortcuts.

“Startups are still hard. What has been especially rewarding this time is how hands-on we have been,” he says. “Phoebe, Aren, and I have been deeply involved in the details, doing many of the small, unglamorous things ourselves. There is something energizing about getting back into the trenches and building something from the ground up again.”

Cormack’s vision for Typical is measured rather than expansive. At its simplest, the vision is to make a better towel and a better product for the home. Once you’ve tried these towels, it’s hard to go back, he says: “Other towels begin to feel outdated, almost like they are from another era.”

If the brand earns consumer trust, it may expand into other overlooked essentials.

“The key is patience. We are not interested in rushing,” says Cormack.

Vancouver continues to shape Cormack’s creative outlook.

“First and foremost, being Canadian is something we are genuinely proud of,” he says. “We’re building Typical from Vancouver, and when we share that with Canadian retailers and consumers, the response has been incredibly positive.”

The Vancouver lifestyle and relationship to nature is embedded in the brand’s DNA, he says: “Where you are from shapes how you think, how you design, and how you move through the world. Vancouver has shaped my life, my career and my creative point of view.”

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Spring is about more than cherry blossoms and longer days; it’s also the kickoff to one of the most active real estate seasons of the year. This can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially for first-time buyers.

Homes can move quickly, competition can rise and decisions carry real financial weight. But with the right preparation and guidance, you can step into the market confidently.

Whether you’re taking your first step on the property ladder, supporting a client as a real estate professional or exploring opportunities as a repeat buyer, spring offers meaningful possibilities. The key is preparation. Let’s break down three essential areas that will help you feel more grounded, more informed and better positioned for success.

Getting pre-approved

In fast-moving markets, a solid mortgage pre-approval is more than a formality; it’s a strategic advantage. A quality pre-approval gives you a clear picture of what you can comfortably afford, protects you from stretching beyond your means and allows you to focus on properties that fit your budget and lifestyle.

Additionally, the value of mortgage advice goes beyond the numbers. A mortgage specialist can walk you through interest rate trends, explain how different mortgage terms impact your monthly cash flow and introduce you to partners who can expand the conversation.

During the spring rush, sellers and real estate agents want certainty. A robust pre-approval signals that you’re a serious buyer who can move quickly. It can strengthen your negotiation position and reduce stress when the right home shows up. Think of it as your foundation: steady, reliable and designed to support the decisions ahead.

Saving for your down payment

Saving for a down payment is often the biggest hurdle for first-time homebuyers. In B.C., where home values in some areas are significantly higher than the Canadian average, being intentional with your savings strategy matters.

Start by setting a target that aligns with both your goals and loan requirements. For many first-time buyers, a minimum down payment between five and 10 per cent is common. But going above the minimum can help reduce your mortgage payments and, in some cases, avoid mortgage insurance premiums.

One of the most empowering steps you can take is breaking your savings plan into achievable milestones. Whether you’re using a First Home Savings Account (FHSA), RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan, or traditional savings, consistency is your best ally. Small, steady contributions compound over time, and they help keep your goal front and centre.

Understanding closing costs

Closing costs can be a commonly overlooked part of the homebuying journey. These expenses sit outside your down payment and can catch first-time homebuyers off guard if they’re not anticipated early. These can include legal fees, property transfer tax, title insurance, appraisal fees, moving costs, property insurance and adjustments for utilities or property taxes.

Most experts agree you should try to set aside roughly three per cent of your home’s purchase price to cover closing costs. Yet the exact amount depends on the home, the location and whether you qualify for exemptions, such as the First Time Home Buyers’ Program in B.C., which can reduce or eliminate property transfer tax on eligible purchases.

Taking time to understand these costs before your home search brings a sense of control to the process. You can avoid scrambling at the last minute and stay aligned with your financial comfort zone.

For first-time buyers, spring can feel like a whirlwind. But with preparation, you can approach the season with a sense of optimism and purpose.

Whether you’re just starting to save, exploring your options or ready to enter the market, the path forward becomes clearer when you take these steps seriously. With sound advice, intentional saving and a solid understanding of closing costs, you can become not only able to buy a home, but to build a strong financial future. And in an active market, that level of readiness is your greatest advantage.

Randy Chin, RBC Regional Manager, Residential Mortgages

Follow Randy on Facebook @RBCRandyChin, Instagram @rbcrandychin

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There is so much beauty about to burst in our gardens, and it’s important to make sure we get to enjoy those blossoms by not accidentally pruning the buds off.

So many beautiful blooms are destroyed each year by a lack of understanding about when to prune flowering shrubs. To be on the safe side, adopt a rule of letting early flowering shrubs finish blooming and then do your pruning.

When it comes to pruning, perhaps the most confusing is the vast hydrangea family. All the mophead or macrophylla varieties already have their buds set to be ready to flower in June, July, and August. Cutting them back now will essentially end that beautiful display, but you will have to make sure you prune by the end of July to allow the plants to establish the following year’s blooms. Today’s modern hydrangea breeders have helped alleviate that issue by not only developing more compact plants that need less pruning, but also by creating new varieties like the DreamCloud series which bloom both early and late in the season.

Varieties like the Endless Summer series, as well as Proven Winners’ Let’s Dance and the Magical series, have their buds set now but will bloom again on new growth later in the summer. The hydrangea serrata series, especially the Proven Winners’ Tuff Stuff group will also rebloom. All you have to do is prune out the old blossoms as they finish, allowing new growth more space and room to set later blooming buds.

Late-summer blooming hydrangeas, however, like the arborescens Annabell, the newer Invincibelles, and the Incrediball series can be selectively pruned back now for more compact, fuller flowering plants because they bloom on new growth that develops in early summer.

The stars of late blooming hydrangeas, the PeeGees, or paniculata grandifloras, with their beautiful cone shaped, multicoloured blooms can also be safely pruned back now for an even more spectacular show in summer.

The beauty of all these varieties is their wide range of sizes which can minimize pruning. For example, h.p. Bobo grows only 2.5-3 feet (76-91 cm) tall. Even smaller, at 2-3 feet (61-91 cm) tall and wide, is h.p. Fire Light Tidbit. And one of my favourites, h.p. Little Lime Punch is in the 3-5 foot (91-152 cm) range. The very popular lime-coloured blooms will vary from h.m. Little Limes at 3-5 feet (91-152 cm) to the original, Limelight, which grows 7-8 feet (213-244cm) tall and wide.

To minimize pruning, choose the variety that will mature at the height and width you need in your garden. This will make pruning easier: You will still need to shape the plant and maintain openness for quality blooms, but actual pruning will be minimized. You can do this by pruning now for a great show in July and August.

On the West Coast, we are fortunate, especially in this very mild winter, to be enjoying so many winter flowering shrubs. The longest flowering, by far, is the viburnum Pink Dawn which started in late October and blooms in sequence until March. It tends to bloom best on old wood, including last year’s growth, so when you do prune it back, leave enough of that growth to ensure a good display this fall.

The beautiful Chinese witch hazel, with those fragrant, spidery yellow flowers, also blooms best on last year’s growth, so be sure to save some of that to ensure a good display of flowers next winter.

The No. 1 early hummingbird attractor is the flowering red currant. These are in bud now and ready to bloom, so let them flower, then prune. The same is true for flowering quince, or chaenomeles, and forsythia. The new varieties of forsythia, especially Proven Winner’s two-foot-high Show Off Sugar Baby and Show Off Starlet at 2-3 feet (61-91 cm) tall and wide, need little pruning because they will stay very compact. The old-fashioned Lynnwood Gold, and PW’s original Show Off which can grow up to six feet (183 cm), can be pruned quite hard after flowering to keep them from becoming too leggy. By timing your pruning just after flowering, and when the new growth begins, you allow stems to mature sufficiently to produce a good bud set for next year.

Winter flowering camellias, like the sasanquas, will continue to bloom until late March, but when finished, they too should be cut back hard to keep them in shape for next year’s new growth which will develop flower buds in late June. They have been a hummingbird winter favourite.

As a rule of thumb, most late spring and summer flowering shrubs like weigelas, buddleias, spireas, flowering elderberries, potentilla, and hibiscus flower on this year’s new growth so they can be pruned back now and still give you a great show.

Where you can see buds beginning to form on early blooming spireas, lilacs, Scotch broom and genistas, please leave them alone. When in doubt, always observe when they flower and make a note for future reference.

Even though we are having mild weather, be cautious, especially with roses. For hybrid teas, grandifloras, and floribundas, the rule is to wait until after the last hard frost, which is usually the end of February or early March, and then prune. I would also recommend pruning fairly hard to force new growth on more compact plants. With climbers and rambling roses remember that last year’s growth will produce some of your best flowers this summer.

Clematis can be confusing with their A-B-C pruning options, but Ray Evison, one of the world’s best clematis breeders and growers who was a guest with me on CBC a few years ago, told a concerned caller not to worry about it. If it blooms before mid-June, simply leave it alone this time of year because the buds are already set. If it blooms later, or multiple times, prune it back hard in late February.

Broad-leafed flowering shrubs like azaleas, rhododendrons, kalmias, and viburnums should be pruned after flowering. If you need to cut them back more severely you should be OK because they will send new growth out from the older woody stems. The same is true of deciduous azaleas: They can be pruned hard after they finish flowering and still bloom the following year.

Flowering shrubs in our region can bloom in sequence all through the year. They provide important colour at times when our gardens need it most, so the timing of your pruning is critical, not only keep your plants in great shape, but to ensure you are able to maximize the incredible display that each can provide.

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