Organic Gardening News

A question developer Rob McGorman is repeatedly asked by prospective homebuyers about his latest project is, “Are you going to keep the trees?” The short, and welcome, answer is yes.

As part of the first residential component being developed in the long-established, championship Pheasant Glen Golf Resort in Qualicum Beach, the Villas have been designed to integrate into the landscape rather than dominate. From the muted, earthy exterior colours to the West Coast style architectural design, the homes are meant to reflect an appreciation for the lush, green surroundings and stunning mountain views.

“We went with keeping all the trees,” says McGorman, founder and owner of Bayshore Construction Inc. “Every villa backs onto a forest. So what you see behind you here is exactly what every house is going to be seeing. So, no shared back fences. Instead of going with a manicured golf course (residential project), we went with what you see when you pull in — all the wildflowers. That’s all been hydroseeded that way. That stays. That’s done. It will just go in thicker.”

The plan for residences at Pheasant Glen evolved from the vision and discussion with the Dutton family who owns the golf course — something the Duttons had been pondering for a while — 17 years according to McGorman who quipped, “It didn’t happen overnight.”

Plans include two-bedroom-and-den, three-bedroom, and three-bathroom houses ranging from 1,788 to 2,200 square feet, and include both rancher and two-storey plans.

In concert with the Villas, Pheasant Glen is expanding amenities at the golf course with tennis and pickleball courts, a gym, possibly a pool, amphitheatre and a new clubhouse with a restaurant. The expansion includes future low-rise condos which will be separated from the Villas with a tree buffer. The owners at the Villas have a choice of opting into those amenities or not. What they do receive is the chance to move to the top of the waiting list for golf club membership with the initiation fee waived.

For homebuyer Gerry Scott, the Villas were a perfect mix of everything he was seeking when planning a move back to the island after leaving in 1983 and, along with wife Melissa, will make Qualicum their principal residence. Scott admits they made the decision sight unseen after a discussion with McGorman and Nicole Proch, head of sales and marketing — and there are no regrets. Things are moving ahead: the foundation has been laid and the house should be completed by early spring 2026.

“I always envisioned retirement would be the things I wanted to do as a kid,” 64-year old Scott says. “I ride my mountain a ton. So that’s No. 1 on the list. The trails are just outside the yard — golfing, pickleball, the recreation centre.”

The couple selected the Brandon model, the same design as the show home. Tweaks were made to the exterior to give the home its own unique look as the project’s esthetic plan doesn’t allow for the same style of house side-by-side through the development. Though the exterior may differentiate the Scott’s home, inside they opted for essentially what the show home offers. “I think it’s going to be very close to what the show home looks like with the big (sliding) doors. I think it’s going to be fairly similar with all the light colours,” Scott notes. They also selected the upgraded backyard landscaping installed at the show home.

While outside the homes boast a cosy, cohesive West Coast-lodge vibe, the interiors are distinctively stylish and modern — owing to the vision of John Larson of C.A. Design and Bayshore’s in-house interior designer Jordan Labas. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors are featured wherever possible on the back of the residences. In the Brandon model they stretch 20 ft across the back wall of the dining and living room areas.

There are three interior colour palettes to help buyers decide on finishes, and Labas is available to guide people through the process of selecting different colours or materials. To that end, all the homes’ interiors are custom, even if a buyer opts for one of the curated palettes — quartz countertops, engineered hardwood floors and gas fireplaces are a few of the standard features. McGorman says there are often small changes that buyers request that can be worked into the build. He mentions replacing a barn door in one house as it wasn’t to the buyer’s taste or shifting the position of a window slightly as examples where they accommodate changes. The Scotts are at design-finalization point in the process and Melissa is working with Labas to source different lighting fixtures for their home.

Scott says they made the decision to move fast on buying at Pheasant Glen because they wanted to be assured of a prime lot.

“It’s beautiful,” he enthuses. “The views, everything, it’s incredible. And of course, what they’ve got planned with the club house, etc. They’re giving it a facelift which I think is going to be incredible.

The Villas at Pheasant Glen

Project Address: 507 Hole-in-One Drive, Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island

Project Scope: A collection of custom, three-bedroom, single-family homes situated alongside the beautiful, championship Pheasant Glen golf course in quaint Qualicum Beach. Conveniently located a few minutes from walking trails and beaches, and the town’s amenities which include grocery shopping, restaurants, town hall, library, community centre, elementary schools and high school.

Developers: Bayshore Construction Inc.

Building Designer: C.A. Design, Qualicum Beach

Prices: Starting at $1,300,000

Sales centre: 507 Hole-in-One Drive, Qualicum Beach

Sales centre hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Sales phone: 250-248-7495

Website: pheasantglen.ca/the-villas/

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Last year the quaint seaside town of Qualicum Beach lost one its most popular home decor shops when the owners relocated out of province. Before they left, they hinted that what would replace their two retail shops within the charming little plaza would not be a disappointment.

True to their word, when it was discovered that Indaba Trading bought the two spaces, there was a discernible ripple of excitement throughout the town. While perhaps not a household name, the Indaba brand, a Parksville-based decor wholesaler and online retailer, is sold all over North America and is well known to interior designers — and to those drawn to the brand’s easily recognizable, distinctive esthetic.

On a recent summer morning, Irene Held and Alison Gillespie, the mother/daughter duo behind Indaba, sat down for a chat over coffee in the sunny courtyard behind their new Indaba Shoppe. Held founded the business as a young mother having recently arrived in Canada from South Africa — hence the name’s origin — a Zulu word meaning the gathering of people. The ethos of the business is grounded in an appreciation for the skill and beauty of handcraft.

“Our interest has always been in handcraft,” Held explains. “Buying in India, it’s very much traditional handcraft. We’re obsessed with textiles and India is the mecca for textiles. What people don’t understand is what we do is not off the shelf. We don’t go to India and say we’ll buy this, this and this. Everything is custom made and goes to production.”

Even the ceramic pieces that they produce in China are handcrafted.

“The people making our product, it’s all handmade still,” Gillespie says. “People think it doesn’t meet our brand values but actually these workshops, it’s similar to the Indian product, they’ve been doing it for thousands of years. It’s handmade. You think made-in-China is made by machine but it’s not true for all types of products.”

Indaba’s signature style is a seemingly effortless, relaxed elegance — a sense of almost languid informality but with polish. The textiles in Indaba’s collections define that sensibility with the decor accessories being a logical trajectory of that esthetic.

“The subtlety and the relaxed feel — that generally is the theme of what our look is,” Held remarks. “It’s very unfussy. We do have interesting details, and we’ll throw in a punch of colour or a little bit of whimsy but primarily it’s very easy to live with. It’s very easy to integrate, and season to season the new designs follow on from where we were before.”

Having launched their online retail shop during COVID, making the leap to a bricks-and-mortar location was a natural progression but, as with most things in life, it came down to the right timing.

“We’re always just so busy but it was just in our minds,” Gillespie recalls. “I do think it was a manifestation in a sense that we were ready for the right location when it presented itself. When we saw Faire Living’s Instagram post about moving to Calgary we called and asked right away. They were selling the building, and it just happened.”

Gillespie notes that even though their products are in shops all over the U.S. and Canada, the Indaba Shoppe allows them to present the full range of the brand in one place. “A lot of stores carry our products but it’s bits and pieces,” she notes. “It’s bringing our products into their esthetic. It’s all our products together.”

To complement the Indaba brand, Held and Gillespie have opted to include some local and national makers in the shop, such as the beeswax candle maker Little Mill from Shawnigan Lake, Vancouver’s home-and-bath brand Well Kept, and candle and body oil maker Merge from Tofino.

The shop will also feature one-of-a-kind items that were developed as samples for a season’s collection that for whatever reason didn’t make it into production.

“They add a bit of an interesting touch there because you never know what’s going to be in there, and those items are not available on the website,” she says.

With the view to changing things up either seasonally or from a creative vantage, the Indaba Studio, the second space facing out to the plaza’s courtyard, will host various events and give the duo the flexibility to feature different collections.

“It leaves us free to develop the concept of how we’re going to have the two shops jive together,” Held observes.

Gillespie suggests that perhaps it will be kitchen and dining focused at times, but they have decided to launch with the Christmas collection, likely opening sometime in October.

With the two shops opening this year, the duo has plans for events in the courtyard in the future. “We have lots of ideas. It’s just a matter of getting them on a schedule and making it happen,” Gillespie says.

Stay tuned.

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Three years ago, we looked at properties in five B.C. towns where buyers could snag a single-family home and a plot of land for under half a million dollars. While the market has shifted, pockets of affordability are still out there. Here’s a snapshot of what you can buy outside the big city for the cost of the proverbial Yaletown shoebox.

Prince George

Address: 7386 Imperial Place

Listed at: $499,900

Tucked into a quiet cul-de-sac, this spacious two-storey home is ideal for families with school-age kids. Located within walking distance of both elementary and high schools, it offers 2,272 square feet of living space on a 7,315 square-foot lot. The 1974 home features updated flooring and bathroom, a garage with RV parking, a private backyard complete with a patio and there’s also a dedicated hot tub room. Perfect for unwinding after a long day of waiting for a car to go by.

Vernon

Address: 1605 15 Ave.

Listed at: $499,800

Located in the East Hill neighbourhood, close to East Hill Dog Park and Lakeview Park, this 1 996-built bungalow offers three bedrooms and two bathrooms across 1,300 square feet. Vaulted ceilings and an open-concept layout make the interior feel bright and spacious. The primary bedroom includes a walk-in closet and ensuite, while the fully fenced yard provides privacy and a landscaped outdoor retreat. You’re also just minutes from Kal Beach, Polson Park and Vernon Secondary School.

Castlegar

Address: 604 11th St.

Listed at: $499,000

Located at the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia rivers, downtown Castlegar is regarded as one of the greenest downtowns in the country, and this 2,434 square-foot, two-storey home puts you right in the thick of it. Built in 1962, the home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a lower-level suite for rental or in-laws or for renting to your in-laws. (Use your imagination.) With the river practically in your backyard and local cafés just steps away, this home offers both serenity and convenience on a 0.34-acre lot.

Prince Rupert

Address: 1745 E. 7th Ave.

Listed at: $499,000

This corner lot home has been thoroughly updated. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home spans 1,810 square feet and includes a renovated lower level with new insulation, plumbing and electrical. From a south-facing sundeck, you can survey a kingdom that includes a fenced yard, fire pit, and upgraded drainage. Located near the Coast Guard base and scenic waterfront trails, the Prince Rupert gem offers both nature and community.

Cranbrook

Address: 1616 Mt. Proctor Place N.

Listed at: $499,900

Built in 1985, this 2.5-storey residence offers 2,121 square feet of living space with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and an office. The double garage, sauna, wood stove, and covered patio add comfort and character. Glass sliders opening to a covered patio area where you can enjoy your morning coffee in this serene space with a great sense of privacy. Located in a quiet cul-de-sac near the community forest and hiking trails, it’s a tranquil retreat in the urban centre of the East Kootenay region.

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Those beautiful white hydrangeas we see blooming out in the hot summer sun are part of a new generation that just keeps improving each year.

The old Hydrangea paniculata Grandifloras were always nice for summer colour. Hardy, even for Prairie winters, and — once established — quite heat and drought tolerant. They were bullet proof. They loved the summer sun, bloomed on new spring growth and could be used as a flowering shrub or grafted as a tree form.

Today’s hydrangea breeders are now looking for opportunities to develop many new features. They are producing new blossom colours and blossoms that change colours, as well as size variations, which can be important in many landscapes. We’re also seeing that, because of their durability and lasting quality, the blooms of these new hydrangeas are in-demand as cut flowers.

Over the past few years, Proven Winners have introduced many of the new varieties, and the gardening community has really embraced them. The leading candidate has been H.p. Bobo. Developed by the folks who produced H.p. Pinky Winky, Bobo’s claim to fame is its compact size. Growing to a mature size of about one-metre high and three to four feet (one to 1.2 metres) wide, it is one of the first varieties to bloom. Bobo also lasts well, and its blossoms mature to a subtle pink shade. Its compact size allows it to fit spaces in the landscape where other hydrangeas could not be used.

Hydrangea paniculata Fire Light and its companion, H.p. Fire Light Tidbit, have set the standard for colour change. While Fire Light grows six to eight feet tall (1.8 to 2.4 metres), Fire Light Tidbit will reach only two to three feet (0.6 to one metre) in height and three feet (one metre) in width. Their initial colour opens as a bright lime green that transitions to white, then quickly changes to a rich pink. To end the season, the blossoms turn red. Both varieties have strong stems, and Tidbit has lovely orange-red autumn foliage.

The Quick Fire series were bred to be the earliest to bloom, while also lasting through the summer. Often blooming in early July, they will frequently begin to turn red just as other varieties are opening up. Little Quick Fire and Tiny Quick Fire grow three to five feet (one to 1.5 metres) tall, while the larger Quick Fire Fab will get up to six to eight feet (1.8 to 2.4 metres) tall and six feet (1.8 metres) wide.

The real head-turning paniculata is the vibrant Limelight series. Its bright lime flowers on strong stems eventually turn a creamy white, change to an attractive pink, then finish in fall as a rich burgundy. Limelight grows six to eight feet (1.8 to 2.4 metres), the Improved Limelight stays in the four-to-six-foot (1.2 to 1.8 metres) range, while Little Lime grows only three to five feet (one to 1.5 metres) tall. The showstopper, Little Lime Punch, takes colour changing to another level. It is the same compact size as Little Lime, but as the green flowers age, they become a unique mix of vibrant pink, green, white and hot red all at the same time. It’s quite something.

Van Belle Nursery in the Fraser Valley are introducing a number of spectacular PG hydrangeas which are uniquely different and deserve a spot in our gardens. Hydrangea paniculata Dragon Baby is certainly one to watch. Growing only two to three feet (0.6 to one metre) tall and wide, it has slightly smaller and more pointed blossoms than Bobo, and it has more of them. They open a refreshing lime and cream colour, then develop into a very rich pink as they mature. I find they have a strong, upright form.

Another star is H.p. Bouncy. Aptly named, its big, beautiful, creamy white flowers look stunning bobbing in the breeze. This four-to-five-foot (1.2 to 1.5 metres) plant has quite a manageable mounding form. Bouncy will extend your bloom season as its white flowers turn a beautiful pink and it will keep blooming well into the fall. It’s one to watch.

If you would like to keep the limey cream colour all through the season, H.P. Moonrock might be your best choice. Reaching four to six feet (1.2 to 1.8 metres) tall and wide, it has an attractive upright form that always looks substantial and strong.

Speaking of limey cream, the newest hydrangea to be introduced is Bubble Bath, a compact plant growing only two to three feet (60 to 90 cm) tall and wide. Its claim to fame is the absolutely massive, vibrant blooms it produces all summer, and it holds its crisp, fresh look even in the heat. Bubble Bath is a very appropriate name because, when fully in bloom, it looks like a ball of bubbles. Quite amazing!

Hydrangeas, especially those with large blooms, may become quite heavy after a rain, and the plant will require some staking. Compact hydrangeas tend to hold up better and are also well suited to growing in containers.

Tree forms of all these varieties might not be available, but certainly a good number are. They make an excellent small sized tree that is ideal for small gardens and patios, as well as for screening, privacy and a little height.

So, no matter the size of your garden, there is bound to be a perfect hydrangea for you.

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Kevin and Christy Young waited 10 years to renovate their home, and that was more than enough.

They didn’t want to wind up like those people who live in a house for decades and then fix it up right before selling, says Kevin. “We thought, we’re going to be in this house for at least another 10 years. So why don’t we do it now, and enjoy all that this house has to offer? Because we love where it is, and our kids love it.”

The 2003-built, 5,500-square-foot home in West Vancouver had served them and their three sons well, but it was feeling tired, too.

They got underway with a couple of smaller projects, fixing up the kitchen and a few bedrooms. But with two of the boys now in university and one finishing high school, the Youngs knew they should commit to a larger upgrade of the home’s main floor and walkout basement.

Enter Simply Home Decorating, and creative director Lori Steeves. The family conveyed their wish list and Steeves started forming a vision. “They’re a very busy bustling household, so Christy really wanted this feeling of calm in the decor,” she recalls.

Kevin is also part-owner of building-product manufacturing company — Woodtone — so Steeves decided to incorporate shiplap siding throughout. “That was my idea, not his,” she says. “But that led us to a very modern coastal esthetic, which Christy absolutely resonates with. She loves the water, and blues and greys.”

For her home office, Christy pictured this playing out as a serene retreat for her to work, relax and hang out with the family’s two golden retrievers. But the office space also got some uniquely feminine touches: “The house had a lot of angles and hard lines, and so in order to balance that in her study, we wanted to soften things a little,” says Steeves.

Bearing this in mind, Steeves paired a curved chaise longue with a custom teardrop-shaped ottoman. From there, she extended two existing storage built-ins to ceiling height, adding arches to flank a Masana stone fireplace.

A Samsung Frame TV displays artwork when not in use, positioned over the desk instead of the mantel to keep it from pulling focus. Floral drapes, cloud-patterned wallpaper on the ceiling and gold-flecked paintings by North Vancouver artist Donna Giraud enhance the feminine feel. Meanwhile, French doors create quiet and privacy, with glass allowing glimpses of action outside the room.

The heart of the home’s action is the great room, where family, kids and friend groups gather. And although the space is light-drenched and beautiful, with views of the city skyline and Lions Gate Bridge, its size and cathedral ceilings were a design challenge here, says Steeves.

“A lot of people think, oh, it’s a large room, it’s going to be so, so easy to work with — with lots of space for furniture. But the challenge in a large room is to give it a cosy and intimate feel despite its size,” she says.

To match the room’s proportions, Steeves started with a 12-by-12-foot sectional. A low-hung chandelier brings the space closer together, while a mix of wood tones, a nubby rug and a white brick fireplace create texture.

Steeves kept the home’s nearby dining room light and bright, adding a long dining table with benches at either end for extra seating when needed. Ocean and sea-urchin artwork, combined with shiplap on the lower walls, bring the coastal theme into focus here, while a natural-fibre chandelier ties in to oak flooring and furniture.

Downstairs, a walkout basement is now the ultimate hangout for the boys, with a full-sized home gym, TV lounge and bar-kitchen. “Gym equipment is not pretty, so I struggled to look for a layout that was going to give them the space that they needed,” says Steeves.

A faux concrete wall with a bank of mirrors in the back corner elegantly solves the problem, keeping the workout area visually separated from the rest of the space.

“It was a super-creative way to solve a problem of these three boys, who want to use a gym, and then incorporate that in with the TV,” says Kevin.

For the lounge zone, a comfy sectional faces an 85-inch TV, mounted on grooved black panelling to make the electronics recess visually.

At the other end of the space, a tidy modern bar replaced a ’90s Irish pub-style time capsule. Linear wood panelling overhead turns a bulkhead into a design feature, set off with nautical lights for a hint of the coastal vibe. Similar panelling on the island below takes on a rich matte black tone for contrast.

With this phase of their renovation complete, the Youngs recently embarked on yet another reno, upstairs, with Steeves again leading design. Between all the changes, they’re achieving their goal of longevity, and enjoying the home not later, but today, says Kevin.

“I don’t ever want to leave this house,” adds Christy. “[Lori] created spaces that make me really happy. Whether it’s the gym area with the TV for the boys, or the living room or the office, I walk into each space and it’s like, oh, I love it in here.”

Project management and design: Simply Home Decorating

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A striking new building is quietly taking shape in Vancouver Island’s city of Colwood, which is near Victoria. The Royal BC Museum PARC Campus (short for Provincial Archives, Research and Collections) offers a fresh take on how we preserve and share our history, says architect Michael Green of MGA, who designed this building.

PARC will house collections currently stored at the Royal BC Museum’s aging downtown Victoria site, giving much-needed room to archives, conservation labs and storage. But it’s more than a warehouse, it’s a storytelling loop, says Green. You walk through a path of time — from geology and dinosaurs to First Nations history and present-day culture, he says.

Celebrating our shared path

Every object stored or studied in the PARC campus tells a piece of the B.C. story, says Green. Researchers will be able to study species that may now be extinct and see how life has changed.

“It’s very important for scientific research. It’s very important from a historical context and from a cultural point of view, of really understanding who we are and where we came from,” says Green.

Visitors won’t just see finished exhibits. Glass-lined labs will give people a window into real-time work. You’ll see people working with bones, rare books, birds, or geological samples; doing the research that shapes how we understand the past, says Green.

Open door design

Unlike traditional archives that are hidden behind closed doors, the PARC campus is designed to draw people in.

“It’s on one level. You walk straight in. It feels human, warm and connected to nature,” says Green.

It’s also designed with all ages and abilities in mind.

“We’ve made sure there are flexible spaces for school visits and learning, indoor and outdoor garden classrooms, and the highest standards for accessibility,” says Green.

Celebrating our long history

Inside the building, 140 timber columns have been used to represent the 14,000 years First Nations have had a presence in B.C., says Green.

“We’re going to write a century — 100, 200, 300, 400, and so on — down each column, and as you look down this long corridor, and you turn and there’s another corridor, and another long corridor, and each of those columns represents a century. That’s the time the First Nations, people, the Indigenous people, have lived here, at least, maybe more, and then there’s only two columns that represent the time when settlers have been here,” he says.

They’re using building design to help convey a sense of time, scale and story, for adults and children alike, says Green.

The building will have flexible spaces, where lectures and dinners can be held, and areas where groups of schoolchildren can gather.

“There’s a whole kids’ learning area, both indoors and outdoors, and garden spaces where projects can be undertaken by kids working with the different fascinating departments,” says Green.

PARC will showcase everything from geology to literature and culture. It even has a Rolls-Royce painted by musician John Lennon — decorated, unsurprisingly, with flowers.

“For some reason, British Columbia owns it,” says Green.

Craft, care and climate

Built entirely from B.C. wood and rammed earth, PARC is the largest mass-timber cultural building in North America. If you’re designing a building that’s about the history of time, you don’t ignore the reality of our time, which means addressing climate change, says Green.

This building is designed to last for thousands of years. “All buildings last based on how they’re maintained. Concrete, steel, wood. It’s all the same, if you let the rain in, if you don’t fix the roof, if you don’t fix the windows, over time, all buildings will decay,” he explains.

Green points to the timber ceilings of European cathedrals as evidence of this. It’s not the material, but the maintenance that counts.

With the building about 70 per cent complete, opening day is expected sometime in 2026. It’s not a place that you just flip the lights on and open the door, he says. The move-in alone is like relocating a closet that’s overfull with priceless history inside.

PARC is funded by the Province of British Columbia and operated by the Royal BC Museum, a Crown corporation. It is not a replacement for the downtown museum, but an expansion, and one that gives the public a new way to see, learn and connect with our province’s history, says Green.

“I think the most important thing this building does is remind us that we come from the ground. We make things. We tell stories.”

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What do an elevator, sewing machine, typewriter, telephone, dishwasher and mobile phone have in common?

They were all introduced to the public at International Expositions.

Industrialist Elisha Otis first demonstrated his elevator to the public at the 1854 Crystal Palace Exhibition in New York City. He famously cut the hoisting rope of the elevator platform to display its safety brake, which prevented it from falling.

The home sewing machine was first displayed at the Paris Exposition in 1855. The typewriter and Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone were first publicly displayed at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia.

The dishwasher, as we know it, was first displayed at the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Fifty-five years ago, visitors to Expo 1970 Osaka were delighted to discover ‘Dream Telephones’ at the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) pavilion. Today we know them as mobile phones.

The first world exposition I attended was Montreal’s Expo 67, which featured a monorail passing through Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic dome and Moshe Safdie’s Habitat 67, comprised of stacked prefabricated concrete housing modules.

Like most Vancouverites, I have vivid memories of Expo 86. Although it was not a formally designated World Exposition, it celebrated Vancouver’s Centennial. We were encouraged to invite the world, and the world came. More than 22 million attended the fair.

Expo 86 gave us Canada Place, B.C. Place Stadium, SkyTrain, and established Vancouver as a global destination. Following 1986, Metro Vancouver’s annual population growth doubled from 1.5 per cent to three per cent. Whether it was for better or worse depends on who you talk to.

Since Expo 86, World Fairs have fascinated me since they offer a glimpse into the future. I have been fortunate to attend expositions in Lisbon, Shanghai, Yeosu, Dubai, and Astana.

Recently, I spent a week at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Osaka’s second world exposition opened on April 13 and occupies a 155-hectare site on a new man-made island, connected to the city by a new subway line extension. One hundred fifty-eight countries and regions, plus seven international organizations, are participating at this Expo. One notable absentee is Russia.

Every World Fair has a theme, and Expo 2025’s is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” There are three sub-themes: Saving Lives, Empowering Lives and Connecting Lives.

These sub-themes are intended to address aspects of human well-being, social inclusion and global interconnectedness.

The most striking feature of the Expo site is an impressive, multi-storey ‘grand ring,’ approximately two kilometres in circumference, constructed from mass timber. All the national pavilions are located within the ring to symbolize the need for international co-operation.

Some of the most popular and talked-about pavilions at Expo 2025 include the Japan Pavilion, Better Co-Being Pavilion, Future of Life Pavilion and Canada Pavilion.

The Japan Pavilion highlights Japan’s vision for a sustainable future. Its circular structure is designed to symbolize the cycle of life. Japanese initiatives and innovative technologies are showcased throughout the pavilion, including a biogas plant that utilizes food waste and carbon recycling technologies to promote sustainable practices.

The Better Co-Being Pavilion offers a speculative look at our future shaped by technological co-evolution. Located within the Forest of Tranquility, it embodies the transformation from a world focused on economic growth to one that places greater emphasis on the environment, health, human rights and education.

The Future of Life Pavilion focuses on human-robot coexistence and the potential for technologies, especially robotics and AI, to enhance and expand human life. The pavilion gives visitors the opportunity to encounter androids, robots, computer-generated characters and other avatars created with the latest technologies.

Upon first view, the Canada Pavilion’s white, geometric forms reinforce the overused cliché of Canada as the Great White North.

I was fortunate to have a chance encounter with Laurie Peters, commissioner-general for the pavilion, who was outside on the plaza during a false fire alarm. She told me the theme is not at all the Great White North. Rather, it is Regeneration.

Visitors will not read about this since words are not used anywhere in the pavilion. Instead, they are handed augmented reality tablets and experience interactive exhibits that transform white interior icebergs into scenes from across Canada.

After a week at the exposition, I became somewhat overwhelmed by all the technology. However, one of my favourite pavilions was the NTT pavilion, where the mobile phone was first showcased 55 years ago.

NTT’s 2025 pavilion is divided into three zones, each offering a unique interactive experience. Themed ‘Parallel Travel,’ the pavilion showcases how the future of communication will transcend physical distances and merge distant spaces into one shared reality.

The first zone offers a 180-degree audiovisual journey through the history of communication. You are then led into a 3D experience connecting the 1970 and 2025 expositions through holographic performances.

The pavilion concludes with a “time experiment” where visitors’ distorted portraits are displayed on a 360-degree screen. You soon realize that the younger visitors are made to look older, and the older visitors appear much younger. In my case, while all my wrinkles disappeared, I still had a bald head.

In addition to all the robots and androids, my favourite technological innovation at Expo was a Japanese toilet that can provide the user with regular health reports. This innovative toilet, developed by Toto, scans your stool to identify potential issues.

Expo 2025 will continue until Oct. 13, 2025. Unfortunately, there are often long lineups at most of the popular pavilions, so it is advisable to make reservations. Details on how to make reservations can be found on the website .

If you do attend Expo and there is a lengthy line at the Canadian pavilion, mention to a staff member that you are Canadian, and you will likely be directed to the fast-pass lane and get in immediately.

Although Osaka may seem like a long way away, I highly recommend a visit to Expo 2025. You will get a glimpse of the future and it is much more promising than you might expect.

Michael Geller FCIP, RPP, MLAI, Ret. Architect AIBC is a Vancouver-based planner and real estate consultant. He also serves on SFU’s adjunct faculty. You can reach him at geller@sfu.ca and find more information and images of Expo 2025 on his blog www.gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com. 

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

308 Harry Rd., Gibsons

Type: Three-bedroom, two-bathroom detached

Size: 2,188 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,202,000

Listed for: $1,188,000

Sold for: $1,180,000

Sold on: June 12

Days on market in this listing: 20

Listing agent: Leslee Cooper at ReMax Select Properties

Buyers agent: Angie Sita at ReMax Oceanview Realty

The big sell: Far-reaching Salish Sea vistas over the surrounding treetops was one of the prime selling points of this three-bedroom Sunshine Coast home. Built in 1990 in Gibsons’ Bonniebrook Heights and renovated in 2000, the house has a partial reverse floor plan that maximizes the views from the principal living areas. While the ground floor has an entrance foyer, recreation/family room, storage, and access to the two-car garage, the upper level revels in expansive rooms including a 26-foot-long living room, a home office/bedroom, a principal bedroom suite, and a kitchen outfitted with stainless-steel appliances, glass display cabinets, an apron sink, and a window seat — all oriented toward the seascapes from both the inside as well as from a spacious sundeck outside surrounded by glass balustrades. Vaulted ceilings, gleaming hardwood floors, a newly-constructed detached wood-fired sauna, a potting shed, and a quarter-acre lot are additional highlights.

4405 Glencanyon Dr., North Vancouver

Type: Five-bedroom, two-bathroom detached

Size: 2,437 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,967,900

Listed for: $1,949,900

Sold for: $1,855,000

Sold on: June 18

Days on market in this listing: 35

Listing agent: Devon Owen PREC at Royal Pacific Realty

Buyers agent: Tina Si at eXp Realty

The big sell: According to listing agent Devon Owen, this five-bedroom 1960s home had been in the same family for the past 56 years. Sitting on a sizeable 9,660-square-foot lot, it backs onto Mosquito Creek with a treed backdrop at the end of the garden and a patio from which to enjoy it all. The interior of the home is accessed via a long foyer with stairs leading up to the main living space. Leading off from the foyer on the ground level are two bedrooms, a recreation room, a storage area, and a cold room. Upstairs is a light-filled conjoined living and dining room with a tile-surround fireplace, hardwood floors, and sliding glass door access to a 45-foot-long balcony. The kitchen has wood cabinets and an adjoining breakfast nook and laundry room, while on the other side of the floor plan are three bedrooms and a semi-ensuite bathroom. Updates include a new driveway and concrete carport.

104 — 5535 Admiral Way, Ladner

Type: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment

Size: 1,181 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $930,000

Listed for: $999,000

Sold for: $999,000

Sold on: May 16

Days on market in this listing: Eight

Listing agent: Karel Palla PREC and Darryl Sjerven at ReMax Select Realty

Buyers agent: Kate Matson, Tammy Matson PREC and Thor Matson at Sutton Group Seafair Realty

The big sell: This two-bedroom condo resides in the four-year-old Pilothouse, a boutique apartment residence situated between a golf course and a marina in Ladner’s Neilsen Grove district. The ground-floor home boasts an air-conditioned, open-concept layout with 10-foot-high ceilings overhead and engineered floors underfoot, walk-in closets, custom Hunter Douglas power blinds, an electric fireplace with marble tile surround, and a modern kitchen with integrated appliances and an oversized island. The advantage of being on the ground floor is access to a walkout west-facing patio complete with private garden entrance. Pilothouse offers residents the use of its amenity-rich Hampton Club — a 12,000-square-foot facility that includes an outdoor swimming pool, gym, hot tub, and lounge. The home comes with two parking stalls (one is electric vehicle ready), and a storage locker. Its monthly maintenance fee is $591.54.

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

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

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

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Unless a home is designed by an interiors expert, a lighting plan is often overlooked or factored in later as an afterthought. Or there’s really no plan at all. Good lighting contributes to well-being, functionality and the overall esthetic of a room. It can take a space from blah to remarkable with the right fixtures and placement.

Nowhere was this more evident than at the recent WOW!house design exhibit at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour in London England where lighting was the focal point in many of the 22 unique rooms created by some of country’s top interior designers. Despite the name, WOW!house, which was open to the public for the month of June in aid of the United in Design charity, was not a house but an installation comprising both exterior and interior spaces situated in the atrium of the Design Centre. Rooms, filled with originality and creativity, ran the gamut of any possible domestic space: entries, kitchen, den, bar, dining, library, bathrooms, bedroom, and outdoor courtyards. And within most of these spectacular spaces, lighting took, if not quite always centre stage, a prominent position.

Unarguably, the most dramatic and beautiful piece was the leaf chandelier by Cox London in the grand entry of the installation. Victoria Davar, founder of Maison Artefact , requested that the ceiling height be five metres to not only accommodate the striking fixture but to ensure it had pride of place when entering the room. “I wanted to give them (Cox) as much height and drop as possible,” Davar recalls, adding that it’s more in keeping with classical design to have a high ceiling.

The esthetic of mixing both classical and modern elements used in this room works, Davar believes, because each can balance the other with the “old speaking to the new.” The framing of the leaf chandelier in front of a traditional-surround fireplace demonstrates that approach.

“I really wanted them to use negative space because I wanted that feeling of airiness,” Davar explains. “That’s why I left the wall blank about the fireplace. So when you come in, you see it like a sculpture. There’s nothing interrupting it.”

Created as another entry, the courtyard room by Emma Sims-Hilditch positioned a light fixture as a focal point and other softer fixtures to layer the lighting for both functionality and comfort. The multi-use space accommodates all aspects of country living — boot room, dog wash station, gardening work — while incorporating classical characteristics of heritage country homes but with modern touches.

“I wanted to take the classical elements of the historic English country house lanterns,” Sims-Hilditch says referring to the oversized Charles Edwards lantern above the island in the centre of the room. She notes that it gets a modern take from the Farrow & Ball colour Lulworth Blue. Wall lights took inspiration from carriage lanterns while pendants positioned in the corner spaces were finished with fabric shades to co-ordinate with other patterns throughout.

“I wanted softness for some of the lighting,” she explains. “I don’t like it when you have too many bare light bulbs. We designed these shades to have a very soft light. The lighting is very layered. In the ceiling we used John Cullen Lighting design to help us with the down lights and then we used Soane Britain for some of the wall lights.”

While the layout and materials informed the bathroom by design studio 1508 London , it was the lighting system, by John Cullen Lighting and Lutron , that ensured an elevated status. A luxurious three-level illumination program takes the room from mere functionality to a restorative retreat where one could easily expect a masseuse the be on call. The system provides three unique illumination options: Ritual, Revitalizing and Revery — all at a touch of a button.

“Ritual is the kind of moment of the bathroom, that the idea of cleansing yourself of going through that daily ritual that we all go through,” explains Paris Albert, an associate at 1508 London. “Revitalize is celebrating the vanities and the shower. It’s that kind of rejuvenation, refreshment. We have revery, which like being in that dreamlike state, taking yourself somewhere else, lying in the bath where you’re dreaming about some other place.”

Interior decorator and antiques dealer Daniel Slowik believes that lighting should subtle — which doesn’t mean dim or dark. It’s about layering which is how he integrated it in his morning room design for WOW!house.

“I don’t like centre lights at all, and I really don’t like task lights,” Slowik remarks. “So we have a very subtle lighting system. What I like are side lights (lamps) and side lights can double up as beautiful objects. I quite often use vases to make into lamps. On this occasion we’ve got some marvellous Arts & Crafts candle sticks, which were made into lamps. It is about ambient light … I felt confident that we had that subdued lighting, not over lit.”

Though not fond of task lighting, Slowik finds ways to incorporate it without it being intrusive, such as this room’s brass floor lamp positioned low next to a comfortable reading chair. “I quite like a task light like that,” he observes. “In all these things, it’s important that they look good. I don’t like things too industrial. I want them to look like they’ve been somewhere for a long time. So I like distressed brass. I like things that look old.”

A commonality that all these uniquely designed rooms reveal is it that lighting should be integral to the overall design. Having a considered approach to how a living space is illuminated can enhance its comfort, functionality but also showcase and unify its esthetic. Oh, and as it’s been clearly demonstrated: a great lighting piece can transform a room into something truly unique and spectacular.

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In today’s volatile economic climate, navigating the mortgage market is more challenging than ever. Interest-rate fluctuations, inflationary concerns and geopolitical uncertainties all contribute to an unpredictable financial landscape.

For homebuyers and homeowners, securing the right mortgage has never been more critical.

For first-time buyers, uncertainty can be particularly daunting and questions can arise. Should they lock in at a fixed rate or take a chance on a variable rate in hopes of future declines? Is now the right time to buy or should they wait? Without professional guidance, many may find themselves overwhelmed by the complexity of mortgage products and economic trends.

Mortgage decisions should also not exist in isolation. They should be tied to broader financial goals, including retirement planning, investment strategies and overall wealth management. This is where collaboration between mortgage specialists and other financial experts — including financial planners, tax advisers and estate planners — adds greater value.

There is an abundance of information available online, but relying solely on your own research can be risky. One size does not fit all when it comes to the mortgage market. Factors such as credit complexity, income sources, down payments and long-term financial goals all play a role in determining the best solution.

Mortgage specialists have access to real-time industry insights, allowing them to provide up-to-date recommendations that individuals may struggle to find. It is not uncommon for borrowers to have some type of exception to a lender’s criteria, and a specialist can be essential in navigating the potential financing solutions and alternatives not easily uncovered online.

The best decisions are made when multiple experts work together, given that a mortgage is one of the biggest financial commitments a person will make.

A financial planner working alongside a mortgage specialist can ensure that a home purchase or refinancing aligns with broader financial goals, by assessing how much mortgage debt is sustainable based on retirement savings, investment portfolios and future income projections.

In uncertain times, a financial planner may recommend prioritizing liquidity over aggressive mortgage repayments or suggest diversifying investments instead of committing too much capital to property. By collaborating, mortgage specialists and financial planners help clients strike the right balance between home ownership and wealth growth.

Tax considerations can have a significant impact on mortgage decisions, particularly for individuals with a high net worth, for investors and for business owners. Tax specialists can advise on mortgage interest deductions, capital gains tax implications and efficient property ownership structures.

For example, an investor purchasing a rental property may benefit from working with both a mortgage adviser and a tax specialist to optimize tax deductions while securing the best loan terms. Similarly, a self-employed individual may need strategic income structuring to improve mortgage eligibility while minimizing tax liabilities.

For those with significant assets or multiple properties, estate planning is also a key consideration when structuring a mortgage. An estate planner works alongside a mortgage specialist to ensure that property financing aligns with inheritance goals, trust structures and legacy planning.

Without proper estate planning, an individual’s beneficiaries could face complications with mortgage repayments, property taxes or probate issues. By collaborating early, mortgage specialists and estate planners help clients structure their property financing in a way that protects their family’s financial future.

When mortgage specialists collaborate with financial planners, tax specialists and estate planners, their clients can receive a more holistic approach to financial decision-making. Borrowers can make informed choices, avoid unnecessary risks and secure a mortgage that aligns with their long-term financial goals.

Randy Chin is RBC regional manager, residential mortgages. Follow Randy on X and Instagram @rbcrandychin

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Now in its 91st year, the PNE Prize Home Lottery is more than just a draw — it’s a deeply rooted tradition.

“It’s the oldest prize home lottery in North America, and, I believe, the most beloved — because of the tradition,” says PNE spokesperson Laura Ballance.

This year’s Langley-based prize house represents more than just a dream home, says Ballance, as the revenue supports the PNE’s non-revenue-producing initiatives like its agriculture programs. “It has a special place in the heart of a lot of British Columbians.”

Showcasing B.C.-based builders and designers, Miracon Developments, named Best Single-Family Builder of the Year at the 2025 HAVAN Awards and Best Residential Community of the Year at the 2025 Georgie Awards , designed and built the residence with interior design by Brown & Co Interior Design.

The Grand Home Prize Package, valued at $2.5 million, is move-in ready and features furnishings by Yaletown Interiors, energy-efficient smart-home technology supported by BC Hydro and a Husqvarna yard care package.

It’s the fourth year in a row Langley has been selected as the location for the PNE Prize Home, and this year’s home, with its 3,292 square feet of living space with a flexible, three-storey layout, will go to one lucky ticket buyer following the draw on Sept. 8.

The home’s main floor features an open-concept great room and kitchen/dining area designed for connection and comfort. There’s a mudroom corridor off the garage, a half-bath, and — a thoughtful touch in today’s tech-saturated world — a library-styled den for kicking back and reading a good book.

There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs. A legal two-bedroom basement suite and a separate downstairs whiskey-tasting room complete the residence.

Every space invites you to slow down, unwind, and connect with your surroundings and with the home, says interior designer Sara Brown, principal at Brown & Co.

Brown wanted to create an “earthy modern” esthetic: a sense of warmth and moodiness that makes the home feel lived-in and timeless. An eclectic mix of metals, wood, vintage brass and pottery in the spacious kitchen captures that weathered look.

“We brought in some darker paint colours just to add a little bit of contrast while still leaving it bright with the open upper floor,” she says, noting the earthy, cracked-pepper coloured wall and ceiling paint in the den.

Maple Ridge artist Leisa Marie was commissioned to create a series of mixed media and watercolours inspired by the region’s natural surroundings, and her work is featured throughout the home, adding to the lived-in esthetic Brown had in mind.

Nature is within easy reach with a park and walking trails behind the home. “This is a City of Langley green space and walking park, so nothing will ever be built back there,” says Ballance.

The 2025 Prize Home is located at 19619 76B Ave, Langley Township and can be toured from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays until Aug. 23. Free tour tickets are available through TicketLeader .

In addition to the grand Prize Home package, ticket purchasers have the chance to win one of five vehicles from Chevrolet and Cadillac, five $10,000 cash prizes, two seven-day cruise packages with Holland America plus $1,500 in cash; a Winnebago Micro Minnie Trailer from Woody’s RV World; a 2025 Harley-Davidson Street Bob from Trev Deeley Motorcycles; and a hot tub package from Beachcomber Hot Tubs Group.

There are four PNE Prize Home ticket options: bundles of two tickets for $35, six tickets for $80, 15 tickets for $165 and 30 tickets for $285, all available online at  pneprizehome.ca , via phone at 604-678-4663, or toll-free at 1-877-946-4663. The deadline to purchase tickets is Sept. 1.

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The ongoing love affair with coneflowers is only growing stronger with the introduction of so many new varieties.

Native to central and eastern North America, echinaceas are hardy sun and heat tolerant plants that have an old-fashioned charm and are very pollinator and wildlife friendly. In terms of recent breeding, the emphasis has been on developing new colours, flower forms and climate adaptable plants that can take the heat, withstand drought and survive the cold.

Seedling varieties have also improved over the past few years. Echinacea White Swan was, for years, the go-to white, but E. PowWow White is a significantly improved variety with great vigour and a distinctive yellow cone at its centre. The older Echinacea purpurea is still grown and appreciated, but E. Magnus Superior has a much-improved habit and large, distinctive, magenta pink flowers with an orange centre cone. Perhaps the best seed-grown variety today is E. PowWow Wild Berry. It grows about 21 inches (55 centimetres) tall, has a wonderful growing habit and produces deep magenta pink flowers with an attractive orange cone.

The improved Prairie Splendor series offers some of the hardiest of all echinaceas. This compact series is hardy to zone 3, grows about 16 to 18 inches (40-45 cm) tall and flowers up to three weeks earlier than its traditional cousins. Available in shades of pink, magenta and white, these varieties are easy to grow and are reliable hot summer performers.

A significant seed breakthrough has been achieved in the multi-colours of E. Cheyenne Spirit. Grown in the garden as a mixed collection, its rich summer colours of yellows, oranges and reds look almost like a wildflower display that continues blooming well into late summer. There are many other novel seed varieties, like the tricolours of E. Green Twister and the lacy white of E. Hula Dancer.

The advancement of vegetative echinacea has made some very significant changes. One of the leading series today is E. Sombrero from Darwin Plants in the Netherlands, which is now part of the Ball Horticultural Company. What is unique about this series is the wide selection of vibrant colours, ranging from the hot orange of adobe orange and the spectacular red of salsa red to hot pink rosada and pure white blanco. This amazing colour spectrum also includes three shades of yellow, a fuchsia named flamingo and Baja burgundy. All in this series have a similar height range of 18 to 20 inches (46-51 cm) and a longer bloom period of June through August. Rated zone 4b, these echinaceas are very hardy and have excellent heat and drought tolerance. I love their easy maintenance and how clean and fresh they look throughout the summer.

For a completely unique look, Darwin Plants has introduced a series called E. Double Scoop, the first fully double echinaceas that are available in an array of colours from bubble gum (a lovely pink), lemon cream, mandarin orange, watermelon deluxe, magenta cranberry red and raspberry (a hot pink). These double echinaceas all grow about 20 to 24 inches (46-81 cm) tall and are very full and bushy. They offer a different look for your garden from traditional echinaceas, but one I’m sure you will enjoy. Like the E. Sombreros, they are hardy to zone 4a and are both heat and drought tolerant. They will give your garden a fresh, new look.

Danziger is one of Europe’s great plant breeders, developing many new plants each year, and they have now introduced both the Panama and the Guatemala series of echinaceas. Panama red has certainly turned heads for its brilliant red colour and long flowering habit from late spring into fall. Its companion, Panama rose, a vibrant hot pink, is also a long bloomer. Both are very cold and heat tolerant, making them well adapted for today’s climate realities. If you’re looking for more compact varieties, they grow only about 12 inches (30 cm) tall.

Also very compact, Guatemala echinaceas are similar to the Panama varieties, but they bloom earlier. Two colours in this series are amazing. Papaya, a fiery red-orange, and Guatemala gold, a vibrant golden yellow, are the most sought-after colours. These echinaceas are also very winter hardy and summer heat and drought tolerant.

Monrovia Nurseries in California and Oregon have introduced a very different echinacea called E. Evolution Colorific. Each bloom has a green cone and the petal colours range from yellow to deep rose. The transitioning of the colours is what makes them so striking. Most of this changing of colours happens during cooler temperatures, and it’s a bit dramatic and quite unique.

When I attended Cultivate, North America’s No. 1 horticultural show, which was held last year in Ohio, a friend of mine insisted that I check out a new display of echinaceas from Bull Plant Genetics in Germany. Bull Plant Genetics is renowned in both Europe and North America for their breeding of sunbeckias, heleniums and echinaceas. They introduced the SunMagic Vintage series of echinaceas, some of the longest flowering varieties, blooming from June well into fall. They also hold their beautiful cones even after a period of frost, making them ideal for winter interest. Like most of the new varieties, they are very cold hardy to zone 4 and hold up nicely in summer heat. Growing about 18 to 24 inches (45-60 cm), these new varieties are very strong plants.

The SunMagic Vintage series has 14 different colours from electric orange, mango (a peachy yellow), pearl white and hot red to lavender and lipstick (a summery pink). They probably have the widest selection of echinacea colours, and they are incredibly vigorous plants. Many growers in B.C. are trialling them now with some impressive results.

When Proven Winners conducted a survey last year to determine the most popular perennials, hostas, salvias and echinaceas, in that order, were ranked as the top three. With all these new varieties, I expect echinaceas will jump even higher in the ratings.

Most varieties will be available over the next year or so. Be sure to give them a try — you won’t be disappointed.

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Whether prices are skyrocketing, plateauing or, as statistics currently bear out, declining , the real estate market remains a hot topic in Vancouver. One persistent theme is which neighbourhood offers more bang for your buck, with some areas attracting urban singles and/or downsizers while others are hubs for young families. In this piece we’re looking at the difference in what $1 million, or close to it, can get today’s homebuyer in two vastly different neighbourhoods — urban, close-to-the-ocean Kitsilano in Vancouver and suburban, highway-adjacent Walnut Grove in the Township of Langley.

Two-bedroom-plus-den, 905-square-foot townhome in Kitsilano

Listing address: 12-2375 W. Broadway, Vancouver

Listing price: $975,000

Listing agent: Ben Kay PREC at Macdonald Realty

Living on busy West Broadway might not sound appealing at first, but this two-bed-plus-den, two-bath, 905-square-foot townhome has a fenced patio and faces the quiet (north) side of the street. “You wouldn’t necessarily know that you’re on a busy street when you’re inside the unit, because all you can hear is the birdsong outside,” says realtor Ben Kay. “I do think that some buyers are not looking at this property because they’re writing it off over the address. And that is, in part why this is the best priced townhouse in all of Kits.” The fully renovated home has an open-concept main floor, engineered flooring and a modern kitchen. An added bonus: a reverse floor plan. “You walk in on the bedroom floor upstairs, and the living space is below. So if someone wants to, say, use one of the bedrooms as a work station or guest room, you can have a quiet space away from the main living and entertaining areas.” Local landmarks include Connaught Park and the Arbutus Greenway. Future landmarks include the Arbutus SkyTrain station, currently scheduled for “late 2027.” Also included: storage and secure parking.

Walnut Grove 2,191-square-foot townhouse with four bedrooms and three bathrooms

Listing address: 24-20788 87 Ave., Langley

Listing price: $998,000

Listing agent: Richard Jubao Yu at Sutton Group-West Coast Realty

This townhome in the Walnut Grove neighbourhood of the Township of Langley features four bedrooms and three bathrooms and is 2,191 square feet — basically twice the size of the Broadway townhouse. It’s in Kensington Village Estates complex of 62 townhouses built in 1997 by RWD Homes. The townhomes have south-facing backyards and balconies. The main floor of this unit includes a primary bedroom with an ensuite. Two more bedrooms are upstairs and there’s one in the basement. The living and dining room is centred around a gas fireplace. Upgrades include hardwood floors, granite staircase and galley-style kitchen with extended counters and added cabinetry. There’s even a cosy eating nook. Amenities include a playground and the complex is near shopping, restaurants and recreation.

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Like so many buyers facing a tough real estate market, Cody and Ashley Spencer had to get creative. In 2022, they pooled their resources with Cody’s brother and sister-in-law to purchase a property in Langley.

Since then, the couple’s company, Homestead Design Build, has found its niche working with families in similar situations.

“The newer generation is struggling to get into the market, so I’d say about 60 to 70 per cent of our projects right now are multi-generational living,” says Cody. “Kids are moving back into the parent’s house, parents are moving into the basement, or they’re building laneways in the back of the house. Those are fun projects to work on.”

The Spencers’ shared purchase was an aging structure on a deep lot, bordered by forest. Together, the group decided they’d update the existing house for Cody’s brother and sister-in-law, and build at the opposite end for Cody and Ashley.

One of Cody and Ashley’s earliest dream concepts for a custom home — a sprawling rancher — wouldn’t work here due to the lot’s narrow profile. So, instead, they went tall: 1,950 square feet over two storeys. “We changed our mindset, because we couldn’t have that footprint and go that close to the creek,” says Cody.

The home’s final form, with its steeply pitched roofline, takes inspiration from storybook European cottages, he adds: “It’s [modern] yet it has some features that makes it feel, not stark new, but new and cosy.” For instance, board-and-batten siding and cedar patios soften an exterior palette of charcoal on black.

The back patio, set under a dreamy canopy of Douglas fir and cedar trees, is a perfect spot for soaking up the wooded setting and watching cousins play together. A vaulted cover with exposed beams shelters the space for three-season use, while a ceiling fan with lantern-style housing adds an industrial touch, and slim skylights slip in extra natural light.

Dual-panel sliding-glass doors open wide to the home’s living room, where a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace brings the European cottage influence inside.

Furnishings are an eclectic and homey mix of vintage and modern pieces. A minimalist gallery wall displays family heirlooms and artwork, while a nearby dining area carries the balance of Old World and new, with spindle-back dining chairs and modern benches, alongside a traditional turned-wood console table and lamp.

In the kitchen, the centrepiece is a striking custom-framed hood fan, with statuesque curves and built-in shelves to store cooking oil and other frequent-use items. Rather than a traditional backsplash, the couple opted for a seamless quartz slab in a soft green tone and — bucking design convention — a piece of framed artwork hung directly over the range.

Fieldstone matching the home’s fireplace reappears here as a feature wall, complementing a farmhouse-style sink and brushed-gold faucet. “Ash did a really good job of bringing that stone over by the sink to tie the two areas together,” Cody says.

A mix of white and rift-cut white oak cabinetry with polished-chrome hardware feels light and modern. A Caesarstone-topped kitchen island adds reeded side panelling for a bit of texture, along with a built-in feeding nook on the side for the family dog, Cali.

Picking up the green theme, a powder room on the main floor brings a saturated dose to the mix, with walls and wainscotting colour-drenched in Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog.

On the second floor, bathrooms become mini-retreats. The primary is a traditional-feeling space with a free-standing tub, ceramic herringbone floor tile and two-by four-foot wall tiles surrounding the tub — and mitred into the windows with quartz sills. “We always find that using quartz as ledges, to remove as many seams as possible, is the best waterproofing system,” says Cody. The entire bathroom is one big wet area, he adds: “We like to have hot showers and then jump in a cold bath; kind of use it as our recharge space.”

The couple’s daughter gets a cheerful bedroom in hues of bright pink, and a bathroom in green and rose, with playful terrazzo hex floor tile tying the look together. One quirky yet practical detail: the bottom drawer of the vanity pops out a stool to help the smallest family member reach the sink.

And down the hall is the couple’s home office, where the pair tackle upcoming projects from side-by-side desks, taking seamless design-build collaboration to a whole other level.

Will they do anything differently if they ever do another home for themselves? Possibly a couple of things here and there, Cody says. But they designed and built this place intentionally to evolve and grow with their family, he adds — with a floor plan and materials thoughtfully chosen for timelessness and durability. And they can refresh the smaller details as they go.

Project design and construction: Homestead Design Build

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

1537 Victoria Dr., Vancouver

Type: Six-bedroom, six-bathroom triplex

Size: 2,886 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,584,000

Listed for: $1,798,000

Sold for: $1,700,000

Sold on: May 2

Days on market in this listing: 49

Listing agent: Bob Bracken at ReMax Real Estate Services

Buyers agent: Jeremy A. Sellmer PREC at Oakwyn Realty

The big sell: This Commercial Drive triplex offers an attractive income stream as well as extensive renovations throughout the house. Built in 1911 on Victoria Drive, the four-level residence comprises a choice of three-, two-, and one-bedroom units complete with laundry in each of the suites and separate entrances. According to listing agent, Bob Bracken, the current total income of the property is $91,764 per year. The Craftsman style of the exterior provides lasting appeal with a covered front porch that runs the width of the house, exposed rafters, dentils, and decorative brackets. Inside, there are wood floors, crown mouldings, upgraded kitchens and bathrooms, stainless-steel appliances, and granite countertops, while big ticket items have also been addressed such as fully-updated electrics, plumbing, roof, hot water tanks, mechanical, and sprinklers. At the back of the home is a fenced patio garden.

1277 Emery Pl., North Vancouver

Type: Three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse

Size: 1,843 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,239,000

Listed for: $1,399,000

Sold for: $1,375,000

Sold on: June 3

Days on market in this listing: 37

Listing agent: Paul Rickman PREC at ReMax Masters Realty

Buyers agent: Salina Kai PREC at Rennie & Associates Realty

The big sell: North Vancouver’s Yorkwood Park townhouse complex is the venue for this extensively-updated three-bedroom home that is located just steps from the communal outdoor swimming pool, children’s playground, and the well-kept grounds. The three-level interior features a complete kitchen renovation with subway tiling, Shaker-style cabinets, and smart stainless-steel appliances including a French-door refrigerator, new flooring on the main and upper levels, an updated hot water tank, remodelled bathrooms, and new insulation in the attic. The private south-facing rear patio is fully fenced with new paving stones and raised garden beds and, at 465 square feet, has plenty of space for children, pets, and gardeners to enjoy. Built in 1970 in Lynn Valley just off Mountain Highway, the development has proximity to shopping at Lynn Valley Centre, the Karen Magnussen Community Recreation Centre, schools, and transit. The monthly maintenance fee for the townhome is $661.36.

330 — 5399 Cedarbridge Way, Richmond

Type: One-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment

Size: 561 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $508,000

Listed for: $529,000

Sold for: $522,000

Sold on: June 4

Days on market in this listing: 16

Listing agent: Jessica Chen PREC and Jason Ng at Oakwyn Realty

Buyers agent: Nidhi Premji at Oakwyn Realty Northwest

The big sell: Onni Group built their Riva mixed-use development near the banks of the Fraser River and the Middle Arm Waterfront Greenway — a 17-acre linear park that is home to the Richmond Olympic Oval and offers far-reaching views of the North Shore Mountains. Built in 2015, the low-rise building provides an array of amenities including an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, theatre room, study lounge, and on-site concierge services. The home itself has tranquil garden vistas, air conditioning, oak hardwood floors, premium appliances, a modern kitchen with dual-toned cabinets and bar seating at the peninsula, and balcony access from both the living room and bedroom (the latter also features a sizable walk-in closet). The unit comes with one parking stall and one storage locker, and a monthly maintenance fee of $382.77.

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

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

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