Organic Gardening News

As you drive through various communities at this time of the year, you can’t help but notice the massive colour displays provided by day lilies. From street median and roundabout plantings to massive drifts in park beds, day lilies have become today’s go-to perennials.

When I have questions about day lilies, the person I love to contact is Pam Erikson of Erikson’s Daylily Gardens in Langley, B.C.  As a breeder, grower, judge and retailer, she is one of Canada’s leading day lily authorities. Erikson’s carries over 3,000 varieties of day lilies, as well as an incredible collection of hostas, drought-tolerant plants and fall bulbs.

“Why all this obsession with day lilies?” I asked. “Drought tolerance,” Erikson responded.

“With our changing climate, hot and cold extremes and long periods of summer drought, few other plants can tolerate these conditions and still perform beautifully,” she explained. Most of the North American varieties are hardy to zone 2, except for the more tender Florida bred varieties, which are mostly rated for zone 6, but after our severe cold spell two years ago, she no longer carries them.

Hemerocallis, commonly called day lilies, are some of the easiest perennials to grow. Because they tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions, all they need is well-draining soil, a little organic matter and slow-release fertilizer for a continuous feed throughout the summer.

Generally speaking, day lilies appreciate five to six hours of summer sun each day. Erikson surprised me by saying the dark red and purple varieties need a little shade during the hottest part of the day in order to maintain their deep, rich colours.

I asked about the trend of continuous blooming varieties, like Stella d’Oro. She pointed out that breeding that variety has made it one of the best, and by far, the most popular day lily today, with millions planted around the world. However, Erikson prefers Happy Returns, a slightly fragrant, softer yellow that also blooms continually and looks like a field of daffodils all summer.

I mentioned that knock-offs of Stella d’Oro don’t seem to have the staying power of the originals. Erikson pointed out that there are non-registered varieties on the market that are mass produced by tissue culture, but they do not have the same intensive breeding and testing to ensure their quality.

When she breeds a new variety, Erikson trials it for eight years before releasing it in order to ensure its long-term quality and viability. The American Hemerocallis Society, which is the North American day lily authority, has a website that will confirm if varieties are registered.

According to Erikson, some of the best day lily breeding in North America was done in the 1980s. Many of those varieties had more resilient, unique blooms and tended to have a longer blooming period. Big Spider was an example of a very different yellow day lily that had massive blooms over a four-week period.

She also mentioned that Bill Munson, often known as the American godfather of day lilies, warned that too much breeding could result in their extinction.

Erickson also pointed out the absolute drought tolerance of day lilies. In the absence of water and with extreme heat, they can die down completely, but when water returns, new leaves emerge, and they begin to flower all over again.

I asked her to name some of the  best varieties.  She said that was a tough question because she is passionate about so many. Canada 150 she said is one of the best dark reds with a darker eye. Rootin Tootin is another beautiful red, and a Canadian hybrid. Lemon Lace is a lovely ruffled, fragrant yellow with very large blooms. Strutter’s Ball, which Erikson thinks is magnificent, is a deep purple.

I asked her how to create the best display of day lilies for a home landscape. Erikson recommends a perennial border, where day lilies are blended in with other perennials, flowering shrubs and spring-blooming bulbs for a long and attractive showing.  For an early display of colour, she likes to plant minor bulbs, crocus, narcissus and tulips around day lilies, and as the fall foliage begins to decline, the foliage of day lilies begins to grow and hide the unsightly leaves of fading bulbs.

Erikson particularly loves combining variegated weigelas with purple day lilies. PG hydrangeas, especially the more compact varieties, also make great companions for day lilies. Erikson is OK with underplanting trees with hemerocallis as long as the trees are open and not casting heavy shade.  Most of all she loves growing them in pots. She enjoys moving them around and changing out the varieties as the seasons progress.

No wonder Erikson is the go-to horticulturist not only for day lilies but also for many other perennials and bulbs. Hemerocallis are playing an ever-increasing role in our home gardens, roadside plantings and parks.

This year, Erikson’s Daylily Gardens, located at 24642 51 Avenue, Langley, will close at the end of June and reopen in August for fall perennial and bulb sales.  Please check online for current hours of operation.

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By moving an hour north of inner-city Vancouver to Squamish, Dan Dale and Fiona Francis gained near-instant access to their favourite climbing areas, bike trails and the pristine waters of Howe Sound. They made the shift in 2021 when Dale, an environmental economist and Francis, a marine biologist, adopted a hybrid work model. After four years of renting a condo, the couple have committed to living in the community of 30,000 people and have purchased a home that aligns with their values and honours the sensitive environment in which they live.

Chickadee Lane by ReGen Homes is a small development of just eight townhomes on Wilson Cres. near downtown Squamish. Each three-storey unit is not technically built to net zero criteria, but to zero emission Built Green Platinum standard, the highest there is. Each home has six solar panels, a heat pump and is powered only by electricity.

“The environmental features are important to us but other things we value are location and lifestyle,” says Dale. Francis agrees, noting that their rented condo on the north end of town was isolated.

“We love living in Squamish, but we’ve missed that cosmopolitan vibe of Vancouver. Chickadee Lane puts us closer to downtown. It will be an urban lifestyle without the urban density and not having to hop in our car all time will be nice,” she says.

The builder, ReGen Homes, is local and was founded by B.C. native Cameron Cope who brings his love of the province’s ecology to every project. His childhood on Salt Spring Island, his introduction to Squamish in 2011 and employment as a carpenter informed the manner in which ReGen homes are constructed.

“In 2019 I incorporated ReGen with the belief we could build homes that have a positive impact on climate and biodiversity and also play a role in regenerating the planet. We’re trying to focus on building homes that our future world needs. It’s a large, holistic approach to building,” Cope explains.

Chickadee Lane is one of three multi-family projects that ReGen has done in the area. There is one 1,189 square foot floor plan with three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and a double garage with nine-foot high ceilings and eight-foot garage doors, an important feature for Squamish homebuyers who typically need that height for trucks and ski racks.

Cope’s regenerative approach begins with site selection. Each project is an infill development in a walkable, bikeable, transit-oriented neighbourhood. If people live in the most energy efficient home possible, but are driving everywhere, that’s not a sustainable lifestyle, he says.

Each zero-emission home, which means there is zero fossil fuel used in its operation, is equipped with extra insulation, triple-pane windows, rooftop solar array and a heat pump — all the latest technology employed in net zero homes. These are the type of homes that are the way of the future but are often out of financial reach for many homebuyers.

“For a sustainable home you generally need to pay big bucks on a custom, single-family home and that’s not for everyone. We’re trying to make that technology and type of living available to more people,” he says.

Low VOC paint and materials and high-quality plywood products manufactured locally to reduce emissions created by shipping are other key features.

Cope’s philosophy is that long-lasting quality materials won’t need to be replaced, keeping waste out of the landfill.

“We’re doing all the upgrades at the beginning, so people don’t feel like they need to throw things out,” Cope says.

Landscaping to increase insect or bird habitat and biodiversity in the urban environment is integral to regenerative development. Bird houses, garden boxes and a green space are part of the package.

Sales are currently by appointment only with a show home scheduled to open this weekend.

Project Scope: Chickadee Lane is a small development on Wilson Cres. in Squamish. It’s comprised of eight three-storey townhomes with garden boxes at the front door and communal green space at the back. The 1,189 square foot homes have three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and eight-foot garage doors. The homes are zero emission built to Built Green Platinum standards.

Builder: ReGen Homes

Architect/Designer: Method Design Group, Abbotsford

Prices : Starting at $999,000

Sales information: Contact ReGen for information or visit the June 28 open house from 11 a.m. to 12:30 pm..

Sales contact: hello@regen.homes

Website : regen.homes

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

101 — 271 Blue Mountain St., Coquitlam

Type: Three-bedroom, three-bathroom half duplex

Size: 1,706 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,286,000

Listed for: $1,238,000

Sold for: $1,235,000

Sold on: April 8

Days on market in this listing: Two

Listing agent: Shafik Ladha PREC and Zobair Ali PREC at ReMax Westcoast

Buyers agent: Mayur Arora at Oneflatfee.ca

The big sell: This front-facing half duplex forms part of a collection of four half-duplex residences that were built in Coquitlam’s Maillardville community in 2023 with Lougheed Town Centre SkyTrain station nearby. Offering more than 1,700 square feet of living space as well as a 282-square-foot west-facing yard, the home provides plenty of space both indoors and out. The main level has an open floor plan with expansive living and dining rooms, a powder room, and a kitchen that boasts white gloss custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances, and a peninsula with an eating bar and contemporary-style pendant lighting above. All three bedrooms are located upstairs and served by two bathrooms. High ceilings, walk-in closets, laminate floors, roughed-in air conditioning, and two parking stalls are additional highlights. The home comes with a monthly maintenance fee of $218.28.

110 — 2353 Marpole Ave., Port Coquitlam

Type: One-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment

Size: 661 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $496,000

Listed for: $575,000

Sold for: $575,000

Sold on: March 14

Days on market in this listing: One

Listing agent: Rahim Jivraj at eXp Realty

Buyers agent: Tobias Williams at ReMax City Realty

The big sell: According to listing agent Rahim Jivraj, this one-bedroom Port Coquitlam apartment in the Edgewater development sold after the first showing before the open house at full asking price. The reason for the appeal? A townhouse-style home with a private walk-up entrance and an expansive 264-square-foot patio, fresh interior paintwork in neutral tones, modern updates including a new dishwasher and microwave, and upgraded lighting, insuite laundry, and a central location in the downtown core. The living room has an electric fireplace, while the spacious (15-foot-long) bedroom features a double set of windows that overlook the patio, and a high-quality Murphy bed that doubles as a sofa complete with integrated cupboards on either side. Owners have a parking stall, storage locker, and use of the building’s amenities including bike storage and a guest suite. Pets and rentals are permitted, and this unit’s monthly maintenance fee is $297.46.

2 — 1260 Kaslo St., Vancouver

Type: Three-bedroom, three-bathroom half duplex

Size: 1,579 square feet

B.C. Assessment: N/A

Listed for: $1,629,000

Sold for: $1,630,000

Sold on: April 11

Days on market in this listing: 17

Listing agent: Mark Hammer PREC at eXp Realty

Buyers agent: Ryan Taylor PREC at ReMax Real Estate Services

The big sell: This brand new home forms the back half of a duplex that was built by Pavarya Homes in Vancouver’s Renfrew district. The thoughtful design incorporates oversized windows, an open-concept layout on the main floor, a built-in sound system, and a modern air-conditioned interior with premium finishings such as custom millwork, white oak floors, high-end Fisher & Paykel appliances, sleek dual-tone cabinetry, and Nano doors that open up to blend indoor and outdoor living. There are two bedrooms upstairs alongside a flexible room that could be used as a home office, and a top-floor primary bedroom with vaulted ceilings, a spa-like ensuite, and a private balcony. The landscaped garden has an entertainment-sized patio, and direct access through French doors into the heated single garage which could be used as additional living space such as a gym.

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

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

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In the few years since Manvir Deol launched Burnaby-based Plan Your Space , he’s noticed a real shift in how people are designing their homes. Multi-generational living is becoming more common, driven by the high cost of building or renovating in British Columbia, and a desire to be close to family, he says.

Plan Your Space is a design centre that allows people building or renovating to walk through their home’s floor plan at full scale — complete with furniture, walls and appliances. Deol went through the design-build process with his own family’s home, and saw firsthand how costly and painful it can be to make changes once framing goes up.

The centre gives families a chance to test their layout before construction begins, realizing, for example, that a powder room is too close to the kitchen or a wall needs moving.

Changing times

“A few years ago, people wouldn’t talk much about living with their parents or in-laws. Now it’s a priority,” says Deol. Entire families often come through to walk the floor plans, from kids to parents and grandparents.

A recent client was designing a quadplex for three generations under one roof, with the son-in-law’s mother taking the fourth unit.

“We are seeing a lot of new, young families designing homes with their parents or grandparents in mind,” says Deol.

Making it work

Designing for multi-generational living isn’t just about squeezing in extra bedrooms. It requires thoughtful connection and separation, he says.

Separate entrances can make a big difference, as can details like porches or landings that allow each family their own space and personal style.

By walking through a life-size layout, families get a feel for the proximity between units, the flow of shared spaces, and whether it feels ‘right’ before they begin building, he says.

Test-driving the heart of the home

The kitchen is often the most expensive — and emotionally significant — part of the home. Design decisions here carry extra weight, especially in tight economic times, says Deol.

At Plan Your Space, v isitors can experiment with kitchen layouts using movable appliances, bar stools and custom cabinetry.

You can try things out, such as where your kids will be doing their homework, while you’re cooking dinner, or how your kitchen island fits with your remote work setup, says Deol.

Many homeowners set aside contingency budgets for late-stage design changes — something Deol says can be avoided with more immersive planning.

Planning for the long term

Future-proofing is another major trend they’re seeing, says Deol. Families want homes that work not just for now, but for the years to come.

“We’re finding that people are designing with a long-term vision for their home. They have considered grandparents and how their children will grow, and how all their needs will change over the years,” says Deol.

“Planning to age in place is key, with design features such as ground-level grandparent suites, with no stairs and an open floor plan. Additionally, bathrooms in these suites are planned with barrier-free features such as curbless showers,” he says.

An immersive event space

Though Plan Your Space started as a walk-through studio, they are now hosting events for brands like Porsche, L’Oréal and Lamborghini, says Deol.

Event planners and companies hosting brand activations like the venue because it’s a blank canvas they get to transform.

“The same immersive experience of a floorplan walk-through is translated to any event where the projection system can project images, moving graphics, videos and layered with other senses such as sound, smell and taste,” he says.

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Although the mid-20th century marked the heyday of West Coast Modern, the architectural style continues to evolve today.

“The architectural profession is still addressing similar values and principles that characterize West Coast Modern,” architect John Patkau said.

“Maybe not so much in large condos in downtown Vancouver and surrounding areas, but certainly in smaller scale, low-rise buildings and houses. I think the West Coast Modern values are very informative. There are certain ideas of integration with nature, with the use of natural materials, with certain kinds of spatial organizations that are characteristic of work today that is directly related to work from the period that would be recognized as the strict time frame for West Coast Modern.”

West Coast Modern homes and buildings are marked by sensitivity to the natural surroundings, indoor/outdoor flow, clean lines, the use of natural materials, and expansive windows and skylights. Aficionados of the style and the architecturally curious can get a crash course in West Coast Modernism during West Coast Modern Week .

Presented by West Vancouver Art Museum, the annual celebration is in its 19th year. The week includes opening and closing parties, a talk, a screening/lecture, and tours of architecturally significant homes.

Material Operations, the title of Patkau’s talk at the Polygon Gallery July 9, is based on research into what the Vancouver-based architect calls “unusual applications of materials that are conventionally used in architectural construction. It’s an attempt to find new ways to use these materials to achieve unexpected spatial and formal characteristics. “

He and his firm, Patkau Architects, have been exploring these applications for the last 15 years. As co-founder of Patkau Architects with his wife Patricia Patkau, he has designed the Audain Art Museum, The Polygon Gallery, and Arbour House in Victoria.

In addition to Patkau’s talk, West Coast Modern Week presents the Annual Barry Downs Lecture Series. At Kay Meek Arts Centre July 10, the lecture includes a screening of Beauty Between the Lines, a 2024 documentary about Arthur Erickson. Erickson’s iconic West Coast Modern buildings include the Provincial Law Courts and Museum of Anthropology.

Dr. Jeff Derksen will annotate the screening with a lecture called Architecture of Encounter. The lecture looks at how Erickson “sought to bring together architectural elements from many cultures and to structure his building as spaces of encounter,” according to the West Vancouver Art Museum website.

The highlights of any West Coast Modern Week are the tours, which generally take place in West Vancouver. One of the highest concentrations of the style in the world is found in the district, where the natural surroundings posed unique challenges and opportunities that helped shape local architectural response.

There are walking tours on July 9, 10 and 13. Co-presented with North Shore Heritage, the tours “will discuss the elements and features of the Mid-Century Modern style and examine how the hallmarks of this iconic period were uniquely incorporated into both the interiors and exteriors of our local Mid-Century Modern architecture.”

The 19th Annual West Coast Modern Home Tour on July 12 will offer ticket-holders the chance to visit several homes. These include Taylor Residence, designed by Danial Evan White, 1983; Rayer Residence, designed by Barry Downs and Fred Hollingsworth, 1964; Forrest-Baker Residence, designed by Ron Thom and Dick Mann, 1962; Montiverdi Estates, designed by Arthur Erickson Architects, 1979-1982; and Eastwood-Seth Residence, designed by CBK Van Norman, 1954.

“West Coast Modernism initiated an integration of dwelling and nature that is as meaningful today, and perhaps even more meaningful today, than during its peak,” Patkau said. “It is the epitome of larger values that have developed around sustainability and the interest in the natural environment.”

Visit westvancouverartmuseum.ca for more information.

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The depth of Metro Vancouver’s decline in residential construction became more visible this week with news that one of its biggest developers is making substantial job cuts in the face of what its CEO has called “a cost of delivery crisis.”

Wesgroup Properties LP said in a statement it is laying off 12 per cent of its workforce. CEO Beau Jarvis said this will impact many departments, including development, construction, asset management, marketing, finance, interior design and leasing.

No specific numbers were included in either Jarvis’ announcement via LinkedIn or the company statement, but Wesgroup’s LinkedIn profile indicates the firm employs between 201 and 500 people.

This is the second time in six weeks a major player in Metro Vancouver development has announced layoffs. The Rennie Group, in early May, said it had laid off 31 employees — a quarter of its head office staff — citing economic factors, geopolitics and artificial intelligence.

Jarvis, in a LinkedIn post, called the layoffs “an absolute last resort” to deal with the prolonged economic uncertainty and rising costs that the industry faces.

“We exhausted every possible avenue to avoid this outcome, including creating efficiencies in our systems and processes, engaging in aggressive cost-reduction measures,” Jarvis wrote.

“(We) even sold off significant assets to generate capital/liquidity to cover overhead costs,” Jarvis said. “This was all in hopes of preserving as many jobs as possible. But despite these efforts, the economic realities left us no choice.”

Jarvis noted that projects across the country are being cancelled or put off and that “we are delivering housing at a cost that people cannot afford to purchase. I will say it again – THIS IS A COST-OF-DELIVERY CRISIS.”

Wesgroup, whose portfolio includes the 52-hectare master-planned River District neighbourhood in south Vancouver, said in a statement that it remains in a fiscally sound position, but acknowledged that the company has had to delay several upcoming projects “because the economics no longer support moving forward.”

“We’ve worked hard to avoid workforce reductions, but like many of our peers, we’ve reached a point where we must realign our operations for long-term sustainability,” the statement read.

More to come …

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“We were standing on the balcony overlooking the existing pool, and told them we felt like this could be in the Mediterranean,” says Joy Chao of an early site visit to her client’s property in White Rock.

JHA Architecture’s husband-and-wife duo, lead architect John Henshaw and lead interior designer Chao, had just returned from a holiday in Italy, and the property’s oceanward slope and shimmery water views felt familiar.

On hearing this, the homeowner lit up. She’d spent some time in the south of France herself and loved the seed of inspiration for her home’s outdoor-space renovation. “The landscape really dictated how we ended up designing this outdoor space,” adds Chao.

The overhaul would be major. The three-acre property backs onto the White Rock waterfront, with edge-to-edge views of Pacific Ocean. But its original pool and landscaping — drab beige, 1990s-timestamped and enclosed-feeling — didn’t live up to the setting.

The homeowner’s prime motivation to renovate was the home’s aging and leaking pool, which she dreamed of enjoying with her family and grandchildren. She knew what she wanted to do with it, too: she told Chao and Henshaw about the infinity-edge pools she’d dipped in at hotels around the world, determined to build something similar here. “She was very inspired by travel,” says Chao.

With that agreed, they embarked on planning, confident they could finish up within six to eight months, in time for summer. But then COVID hit, stalling work and deliveries, and stranding the homeowner overseas, with communication limited mostly to email.

A few months later, they ran into permit issues. What was expected to be a straightforward building permit ballooned into a full development application. “By then, we had already pre-ordered most of the material in anticipation that the permit would only take a few months,” says Chao. Site assessments turned up issues with drainage and soil stability, due to the design age of the property.

The project would ultimately stretch to four-and-a-half years total — an admittedly frustrating timeline, made bearable only by the stunning final result.

Consulting on plant selection with Yong Xu Yu of Point Landscape Studio, JHA nailed the Mediterranean brief. Garden beds carved into manicured lawns feature dense stands of lavender, punctuated by red maples and tight-leafed shrubs. Apple, cherry, pear and other fruit trees dot the landscape, though their harvest mainly feeds wildlife. It’s a welcome trade-off for the proximity to nature, says Chao. Eagles nest in the surrounding evergreens and even drop down to bathe occasionally in the pool. “The view is phenomenal and different almost every day. In the spring, when it’s cool, you see mist coming off the water. [The homeowners] enjoy it tremendously,” she says.

On the west side of the property, a water fountain circled by rockwork patters away softly in front of a hedge-lined cutting garden, planted with seasonally cycling crops of blooms.

Surrounding the new infinity pool and hot tub, tiered concrete patios follow the natural slope of the lands, forming built-in seating zones, while rows of statuesque planters break up the visual expanse.

An alfresco dining pavilion under a glass-topped cedar pergola creates weather-flexible space to entertain, with an outdoor kitchen, barbecue, fireplace and a long dining table positioned to catch the sunset, under soft pendant lighting.

Turquoise Paola Lenti dining chairs add a spot of Mediterranean colour and character, special-ordered by Vancouver luxury furniture retailer Livingspace at the height of COVID shipping delays. “She waited quite a bit to get that beautiful, colourful furniture that she really wanted, taking inspiration from the ocean and water,” says Chao.

Poolside, a row of sculptural Paola Lenti loungers and ceramic side tables carry the modern Mediterranean theme, in front of an outdoor living area with more pops of bright turquoise.

Although she wasn’t ready to undertake a full home renovation at the time, the homeowner decided to include one element of the house as part of this project: the back windows, where seals had started to fail, letting in drafts and moisture. Recent advancements in glass technology allowed for replacement of multiple narrow panes with storey-high seamless curved glass panels — custom-manufactured in Belgium; sourced and installed locally via Summit Glazing — to improve the home’s energy efficiency and widen views.

It was a fitting cap-off for the project, connecting the outdoor design and bringing the view indoors. But Chao’s high point was the spirit of trust and collaboration they fostered. We don’t just design something, hand it over and walk away. It’s always a very collaborative relationship between the designers, the architect, the contractor and the homeowner,” she says.

The approach clearly paid off — the project recently earned a 2025 HAVAN award for Best Outdoor Space, in the $1 million-plus category. And they’re still fine-tuning, working with the homeowner, says Chao: “I think the biggest takeaway is that it’s an ongoing conversation.”

Project design: JHA Architecture

Construction: Teragon Developments & Construction Inc.

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

46 West 13th Ave., Vancouver

Type: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse

Size: 1,176 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,259,000

Listed for: $1,349,999

Sold for: $1,360,000

Sold on: April 28

Days on market in this listing: Seven

Listing agent: Dimitri Psihas PREC at Stilhavn Real Estate Services

Buyers agent: Leslee Cooper at ReMax Select Properties

The big sell: This two-bedroom townhouse forms part of a four-unit strata in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. Built in 1989, the self-managed complex has upgraded the deck membranes and plumbing, and installed a new roof and chimney. The home has a two-level interior with exposure on three sides of the property ensuring light-filled rooms. A 13-foot-long foyer leads into the residence where the main floor has a conjoined living and dining room, a powder room, and a kitchen with updated countertops, backsplash and cabinets. Upstairs contains both bedrooms (that can accommodate king-sized beds), as well as a four-piece bathroom with skylights, discreet storage solutions, vaulted ceilings, and the icing on the cake — a south-facing 191-square-foot private deck. The home comes with the use of a single carport, and a monthly maintenance fee of $206.61.

516 — 1211 Village Green Way, Squamish

Type: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment

Size: 880 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $726,000

Listed for: $789,900

Sold for: $785,000

Sold on: April 4

Days on market in this listing: 13

Listing agent: Zenobia Wilson at Macdonald Realty

Buyers agent: Caylee Gaylard and Adam Chahl PREC at Oakwyn Realty

The big sell: One of the highlights of this fifth-floor condo in downtown Squamish is the view — panoramic vistas of the famed Stawamus Chief, one of North America’s largest granite monoliths and a mecca for hikers and rock climbers alike. This two-bedroom unit forms part of the aptly-named Rockcliff, a six-storey building that was constructed in 2009 near amenities and estuary trails. The south-facing home has laminate floors, a stone-surround gas fireplace, an open kitchen with peninsula and bar seating, separated bedrooms, insuite laundry, and a balcony that can be accessed from the living room as well as from the primary bedroom. A bonus is that the suite comes with two parking stalls in the underground parkade, and the building provides visitor parking and a guest suite. This unit’s monthly maintenance fee is $531.73, and pets and rentals are permitted with restrictions.

4355 Locarno Cres., Vancouver

Type: Two-bedroom, one-bathroom detached

Size: 2,163 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $4,322,600

Listed for: $3,298,000

Sold for: $3,405,000

Sold on: March 31

Days on market in this listing: 128

Listing agent: Bob Bracken at ReMax Real Estate Services

Buyers agent: Amar Manuel PREC at ReMax Select Properties

The big sell: The listing price of this two-bedroom bungalow had undergone a couple of price drops before hitting the sweet spot that generated multiple offers. What contributed to the appeal? A 6,000-square-foot, north-of-Fourth-Avenue lot in Vancouver’s esteemed Point Grey neighbourhood with mountain, city and water views from its elevated position. The property’s 65-foot frontage is currently occupied by a high hedge but behind that is a 1940s two-level bungalow sitting on a prime building lot just steps to the beaches at Jericho and Locarno, parks, transit, and schools. According to listing agent Bob Bracken, a luxury single family home of 3,600 square feet could be built plus a laneway house of 1,500 square feet, or, as allowed under the property’s R1-1 zoning, a more ambitious multi-unit development of six-plus units could be constructed.

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

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

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Sundays Company started life as an online furniture brand in Vancouver in 2019. Since then, it’s opened storefronts in Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Seattle, LA and now New York, with a shop in the city’s famous Flatiron district.

“We’ve done a few pop-ups in New York over the years to test into the market,” says Sunday’s co-founder Barbora Samieian, such as a two-week pop-up in Shopify’s Soho space.

“We learned that customers like it when we show up in real life. They want to be able to touch and feel how comfortable a sofa or how solid a dining table is,” she says.

The Flatiron edition

Their new New York shopfront is a 4,000-square-foot showroom, on 18th Street between Fifth and Sixth.

“The space has really good bones. It’s a heritage building with these beautiful, New York columns,” says Samieian.

The showroom feels playful and fun through the use of colour and materials, she says.

Flatiron made strategic sense because it’s become something of a furniture hub with strong retail neighbours, including Vancouver brand Aritzia, which is opening a new flagship a block away, and Mejuri just up the street.

“There’s a Crate and Barrel, there’s a West Elm, and a block up from us is a Pottery Barn. So it really does feel like the right area,” says Samieian.

Sunday furniture shopping with your coffee

While the Sundays brand is known for its clean, relaxed look and a strong digital presence, having physical storefronts has been vital for closing sales, says Samieian.

Furniture purchases aren’t usually the result of people walking in cold — though it does happen, says Samieian. More often, people have been following them on Instagram, or been to one of their events, and now they’re out for a Sunday morning coffee and get to experience what they’ve been eyeing online, says Samieian.

Their showrooms present key categories — bedroom, dining and living — and offer fabric swatches and modular blocks for customers to experiment with.

In their “swatch area” customers can play around with fabric swatches and modular blocks of furniture, to really get a sense of how the furniture they like might look feel in their own home, alongside their own decor, she says.

Building on the success of Sundays’ other showrooms

Their LA storefront was meant to be a two-month pop up but it’s been open almost a year-end-a-half, says Samieian. It’s great now to have a New York shop, for that bicoastal presence, because it’s where so much of their U.S. business comes from, she says.

“And we really look for showroom managers who can provide a great experience for our customers. Who are willing to do community events and activations,” she says.

They’re not aiming to have hundreds of stores in many markets, but instead think about where they might have a key presence, says Samieian.

Growth in a shaky economy

Sundays navigates economic headwinds through having a diversified supply chain, says Samieian.

Of recent tariff shifts, she says:

“We’ve kind of known, I think a lot of people felt that this might be coming. So it’s sort of been months in the works — how can we future-proof the business?”

Part of this approach has involved growing their business in both Canada and the U.S., with an almost 50/50 split now, she says.

They manufacture in India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, and parts of China, says Samieian.

A cool version of your dad’s super comfy recliner

On the horizon for Sundays is a new motion seating collection.

“We call it not your dad’s recliner. You’re able to plug in and charge your phone and, yeah, we’re excited about that,” says Samieian.

Their best-selling couches — Movie Night and Get Together — are also getting a fabric refresh this fall, she says.

These sofas come in different sizes and fabrics.

“I think their modularity is what people get excited about — that people can build their own configurations,” says Samieian.

Opening a store in New York feels a bit like coming home for Samieian and her husband Mo — another of Sundays’ co-founders:

“We lived in New York for three years before we had kids, so it’s very personal for us. Opening a flagship here feels like coming home,” says Samieian.

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

2002 — 1311 Beach Ave., Vancouver

Type: Two-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment

Size: 1,579 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $2,408,000

Listed for: $2,749,000

Sold for: $2,618,000

Sold on: March 4

Days on market in this listing: Seven

Listing agent: Michael Miller at Engel & Volkers Vancouver

Buyers agent: Salina Kai PREC at Rennie & Associates Realty

The big sell: One of Beach Avenue’s most distinctive buildings is the timber-clad Tudor Manor that was originally built as a three-level apartment complex in the 1920s before a 23-storey residential tower was constructed behind the refurbished facade in the late 1980s. This particular home has water views from Granville Island to English Bay, and is one of only two units on this floor. Renovated in 2018 by Rodrozen Design + Build, the suite shines with a custom kitchen, blue Cambria quartz countertops, imported Spanish porcelain tiles, radiant floor heating, a sumptuous primary ensuite with steam sauna shower, an ensuited second bedroom, a spacious den, a full laundry room, and intelligent home technology. The home comes with two side-by-side parking stalls, a storage locker, and a monthly maintenance fee of $1,215.54. Tudor Manor offers residents the use of a fitness centre, landscaped garden courtyard, and concierge services.

6520 Riverdale Dr., Richmond

Type: Five-bedroom, three-bathroom detached

Size: 2,597 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $2,071,100

Listed for: $1,975,000

Sold for: $1,895,000

Sold on: March 25

Days on market in this listing: Seven

Listing agent: Shafik Ladha PREC at ReMax Westcoast

Buyers agent: Garry Nip PREC at ReMax Crest Realty

The big sell: This five-bedroom, three-bathroom house resides in West Richmond’s Riverdale district with not only a spacious interior but a sizable 7,200-square-foot lot as well. The home was built in 1972 with a clever design that offers versatile accommodation with a fully-equipped one-bedroom suite on the ground floor, alongside an additional bedroom and laundry room that could be converted into a studio suite with separate entry. Upstairs, there are formal living and dining rooms, an open-concept kitchen with an eating area and access to a wraparound deck, a primary bedroom complete with ensuite and a walk-in closet, and two additional bedrooms served by a family bathroom. There are two brick-surround gas fireplaces, textured ceilings, and carpeted rooms. The rear garden is fenced and bordered by hedging, and there is a carport with a single garage behind.

1203 — 108 East 1st Ave., Vancouver

Type: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment

Size: 1,017 square feet

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

Listed for: $1,278,800

Sold for: $1,265,000

Sold on: April 29

Days on market in this listing: 40

Listing agent: Stephen Morris at Oakwyn Realty

Buyers agent: Robert Palm PREC at Rennie & Associates Realty

The big sell: According to developer Cressey’s website, the name of their 165-unit complex at the corner of Quebec Street and East 1st Avenue, Meccanica, was inspired by the replica Porsche roadsters that were previously built on this site. This upper-level southwest-facing home has a light-filled interior thanks to a ceiling height in excess of nine feet, engineered hardwood floors, a primary bedroom with a walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom with double sinks, a useful laundry/storage room, a solarium as well as a balcony, and a designer kitchen with high-gloss cabinetry, quartz counters, a built-in pantry, and eating bar. Listing agent Stephen Morris reports that more than $40,000 was spent in custom millwork to add extra style and functionality. Building amenities include a fully-equipped gym, rooftop deck, and a party room. This home comes with parking, a storage locker, and a monthly maintenance fee of $689.78.

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

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

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We are fortunate to have a brilliant rose breeder living here in B.C. Brad Jalbert, of Select Roses in Langley, has been breeding great roses for many years and won numerous international awards. He is now being deservedly recognized by some major companies that are selling his roses.

Jalbert told me that Heirloom Roses in the U.S., which sells between 800,000 to one million roses each year, is now selling and promoting his roses. On June 19 they will launch a promotion featuring some of his best varieties.

Last year, at the Hamilton Trials in New Zealand, Jalbert won the best hybrid tea rose for Black Lace, and for the most fragrant category for Perfect Kiss.  Perfect Kiss is a wonderfully fragrant lavender and Black Lace is a velvety, very dark red with black etching on the outside petals. Both roses are very clean and disease resistant — and sold out until next year.

Perhaps his greatest publicity came from being on stage with Bette Midler and presenting her with a rose named after her. The New York Botanical Garden arranged this presentation for all the work she had done to support the rehabilitation of this garden. It was quite an honour that they chose Jalbert’s rose for the naming rights.

I asked Jalbert where rose trends are going, especially with a younger generation of consumers. He mentioned that there continues to be a demand for the older, well-known roses, like Peace and Queen Elizabeth, and that traditional hybrid teas and floribundas are popular, especially the uniquely coloured ones and varieties with a nice perfume.

Jalbert is enthused about Kordes roses from Germany, which have a more traditional look, but also have very clean foliage, beautiful blooms and a delightful fragrance. He believes that David Austin roses, with their rich scents, will always remain popular, both for the name they have established and because of their reputation for perfume.  But in our climate they are susceptible to many rose diseases and require extra care.

In terms of the rose qualities that folks are looking for, Jalbert says rose health is certainly at the top of the list. People don’t want to be constantly spraying their roses to keep them free of diseases. In our domestic home and garden market there are fewer effective controls available, and that explains why there is so much emphasis on breeding for disease resistance. Low maintenance roses are important to today’s gardeners too. Deadheading roses is a non-starter, as folks simply don’t have time, and climbing roses are needed in the one- to two-metre range.

Jalbert says more work needs to be done on developing fragrances. Everyone’s immediate response to their first encounter with a rose is to discover a perfume. Fragrance connects people to roses.

Shrub roses with double blooms are also sought. So many of today’s shrub roses have either single or semi-double blooms, but fully double rose blossoms are the most appreciated and admired.

Jalbert pointed out a new series of roses he has trialed, and is impressed with the results. Bred in Germany by the Noack Company, Jalbert thinks these new Showpiece roses are quite remarkable. They are medium sized shrub roses that are very clean, disease resistant and hardy. He has trialed both Blush and Lipstick Showpiece and said that they are magnificent. More varieties will be available next year.

This is the time of year when roses are in bloom and if you’re looking to find an old favourite or to add a truly homegrown rose to your garden, now is the time to do it, and Select Roses in Langley has one of the best selections of roses in B.C. I strongly recommend you take the opportunity to visit them because when Jalbert puts a selection together, you know it’s a good one. For more information on Select Roses and the wonderful roses they carry, visit them at selectroses.ca .

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Oftentimes, interior designers look outdoors for inspiration when staging a new showhome. That wasn’t the case for Coralynn Buss, principal at Bärbel Interior Design.

When Buss was invited to collaborate on the two Steveston showhomes at Cavendish, her vision came from the prospective buyers themselves. The intent for both showhomes was to create interiors that reflected its buyer’s demographic, right down to the chess board on the living room coffee table in the dark scheme showhome.

“When we considered the buyer, we knew we had to take a more sophisticated approach to the interiors,” says Buss. “Our target market is decidedly more of a refined buyer, probably with a post-secondary education, who either is downsizing or moving up.”

Buss took a slightly different approach to each showhome — a balancing act that fused both modern and classic styles in each of the dark and light schemes. To create a timeless yet comfortable, lived-in space for the dark showhome, Buss designed a perfectly dressed three-bedroom dwelling for a potential family of four.

“Rather than a television in the living room, we placed a chess set to reflect that this family was well-travelled, educated and a little more distinguished,” explains Buss. “We kept the colour palette quite neutral, but added dark woods, dark clay kitchen cabinetry on the lowers with light, bright uppers for a blend of modern sophistication, warmth and dimension.”

The kitchen balances esthetics with functionality, with a generous amount of storage, open shelving and modern Shaker cabinetry in both showhomes.

“The dark scheme’s polished quartz countertops have a concrete look to them, and the porcelain slab backsplash has a calacatta goldstone classic look to further boost its stylishness,” says Buss.

In addition, Buss treated all the hardware like jewelry, mixing bespoke larger, chunkier metals most often only seen in custom homes.

“We also went with large format tiles on the shower walls in both showhomes, reflecting an artistic interpretation of limestone with subtle veining — turning the bathrooms into luxurious retreats,” says Buss.

For the darker palette living room furniture, Buss kept the colours monochromatic, while integrating bold hues like black and warm taupe grey; contrasting that with a linen blend curved white couch and tapered lamp shade enhancing that air of refinement.

When it came to the design concept for the office, Buss went for a little fun and relaxation. Sunset yellow puff chairs were chosen as a fun unexpected pop of colour that ties in with the painting behind the desk.

“We imagine the occupant of this office is interested in photography or art history and has an appreciation for rich, warm and earthy colours,” says Buss.

With the lighter show home everything conveys a sense of brightness and airiness. The minimalist colour scheme is highlighted by soft neutrals and layered with textures — it’s all about clean lines with contemporary detailing sprinkled throughout.

“We mixed varying elements to create a space that really stands out,” says Buss. “The level of attention to detail, like the floating vanities, niches in the shower, contemporary bold linear lighting in the bathroom, creates spaces that feel cohesive, balanced and intentional.”

The aim for both show homes was for families to walk in and imagine themselves living in each room.

There are linen closets in all the homes, and a dedicated laundry room with shelving in the larger homes.

In addition to private front outdoor space and large patios, Cavendish is anchored by a nature-inspired amenity space that includes lounge seating surrounded by spruce and sequoia trees.

This is the family-owned Panatch Group seventh project in Richmond, and third in Steveston — the other two being Fairwind and Riverwind.

“We are a Richmond-based company with more than 40 years in the community,” says Eshleen Panatch, executive vice-president, Panatch Group. “Working and living in Richmond, we have a strong personal investment in leaving a positive impact on Steveston with Cavendish. We stand by the idea that we won’t build a home that we wouldn’t live in.”

Cavendish offers 14 different floor plans to choose from, which range from 1,160 to 1,750 square feet. There are also four townhomes with lock-off suites complete with private entrances. These lock off suites offer between 300 to 400 square feet — each with its own kitchenette, washroom and closet.

Panatch adds: “We are always looking for ways to add value to our homes. At Cavendish, we have built-in wall safes in the master ensuite, shelves and cabinetry in the bedroom closets and an alarm system already set,” says Panatch.

Project: Cavendish

Project address: 10188 No. 1 Road, Richmond

Developer: Panatch Group

Architect: Yamamoto Architecture

Interior designer: Barbel Interior Design

Project size: 35 townhomes (some with lock off suites) move-in ready this summer

Number of bedrooms: 3 and 4 bedrooms

Price: Starting from $1.8 million + GST

Sales centre: 4045 Cavendish Dr. Richmond BC

Centre hours: Open noon to 5 p.m. (except Fridays)

Phone: 604-242-7434

Website: cavendishtownhomes.com

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Summertime, and the living is easy. Unless you’re overheated and sweaty, desperately trying to sidestep the sun’s punishing rays. And punishing they are: According to Melanoma Canada , the leading cause of skin cancer is overexposure to ultraviolet radiation. Extreme heat events , like the 2021 heat dome, are also becoming more common.

So, to save your skin and keep your cool while enjoying the great outdoors, you’ll need to throw some shade. Following are some suggestions, from an economical sail or patio umbrella to an elaborate (and costlier) pergola or gazebo.

Umbrellas and sails

Not only are umbrellas and sails budget-friendly, but they’re also portable and adaptable to small spaces, especially balconies. And modern weather-resistant fabrics offer a wide choice of colour and pattern in addition to that most important of considerations, UV protection. While any umbrella shade is better than no shade, some marketing claims that they block up to 98 per cent of UV rays may be more promotional than scientific.

The effectiveness of certain colours is also up in the air. Some marketers claim darker colours absorb more rays while lighter colours supposedly reflect more light.

“I don’t know if there’s any conclusive information on that,” says Stuart Ilott, president at Burnaby-based Wizard Screen Solutions , which also operates Patio Gurus . “I know that darker materials attract more heat, and you’ll feel that sitting underneath. They also feel darker and smaller. A lighter colour material feels more open and airy.”

Ilott says all Patio Gurus’ umbrella materials are 100 per cent solution-dyed acrylic, which is the most durable and colour fast. “Vinyl is very limited in colour options, and the material doesn’t breathe at all.”

Matt Vandenberg, president at Chilliwack-based Vandenberg Landscapes , says darker colours also fade faster. “Even a high-quality darker fabric is going to go from a black to a charcoal, or a charcoal to a grey, faster than a brown, beige and other lighter colour.”

Aside from fabric, Vanessa Rienau, general manager at Livingspace Outdoor, says to consider where you’re going to hoist that sail or umbrella: “Which direction does the sun come from so you can best angle it? How windy is the area? How much space do you want it to cover? Umbrella sizes can range from eight feet to 20 feet and weigh anywhere from 100 pounds to 800 pounds. Do you prefer a square, round, rectangular shape? Also consider furniture, trees, shrubs or other structures that could inhibit the opening and closing of the umbrella. Do you need it to tilt? Also, does it need to be mounted to the ground, requiring pouring of concrete, or will it have a weighted base?”

Rienau says a good-quality cantilever umbrella can range from $10,000 to $20,000 depending on the brand, model and size. “Some high-end umbrellas are designed to last a long time, offering repairable/replaceable parts. Other umbrellas are less expensive, not easily repairable, and designed to be replaced after a few years.”

Regardless, she advises caring for any umbrella. Always keep it closed when not in use, especially in high winds. “Never leave it open in a tilted position, since wind could send it sailing across the yard. If you live near the sea, regularly rinse your umbrella of airborne salt, especially before packing it away for the winter.”

Sails are even more versatile — and cheaper. Available in a range of shapes, sizes and styles, from triangles, squares and rectangles of 6.5 x 6.5 up to 10 x 13, shade sails work best in a smaller space, but you could layer multiple sails to cover a larger area. Sails are a little less resistant to weather, however, with heavy rain risking tears and leaks. High-quality material like acrylic or high-density polyester is more durable and offers better UV protection.

Cost depends on size and material, but you can expect to pay between $50 to $600, even more to have it installed professionally. If maintained and cleaned regularly, a good sail should last anywhere from five to 15 years.

Canopies and curtains

These easy-to-operate (and easy on the budget) options can range anywhere from $130 to $200 and can be up and shady in under 10 minutes. Sized at about 13’ x 13’, flexible canopies can be adjusted easily for height and will fold down for easy storage.

Outdoor curtains block not only harmful UV rays but nosy neighbours’ eyes. Available in a range of sizes and materials, from clear vinyl to polyester tarp mesh to light-filtering canvas, these coverings can be hung around decks and patios, gazebos and cabanas. Sizes range from 54” x 96”-plus, and cost anywhere from $25 to $150.

Retractable awnings

Ilott recalls installing an awning for a Surrey homeowner whose patio temperature gauge read 38 C. “After — 22 degrees, which shows how effective they are at cooling.”

Whether manually cranked or motorized, awnings cast a shadow over decks, patios and porches and range in price from $170 to $5,000 depending on size, fabric and make. A good awning is made of UV and water-resistant fabric that resists fading and can even stand up to winds of up to 50 km per hour. Some have wind sensors and will automatically retract in high gusts.

“The material itself has good colour fastness with a fluorocarbon topcoat antifungal treatment,” says Ilott. “But if your backyard is filled with cedar trees, you’ll eventually get some algae growth on the material.”

Awnings, umbrellas and sails are generally easy to keep clean, however, using a long soft brush or sponge and a mild soap and warm water solution.

Pergolas and gazebos

These structures are sturdier (and costlier) options made of vertical posts, pillars and beams that either stand alone or attach to a house. They’re typically made of wood or metal and are ideal for a larger backyard or garden.

A pergola’s roof is usually open to allow air flow and partly covers an outdoor space. A gazebo is typically free-standing with a closed roof and can come with built-in benches and tables. They range from $1,000 to $2,000. Neither protect you (or your outdoor furniture) from the elements, dust and dirt.

A wood (usually cedar or fir) pergola starts at about $10,000, says Ilott, and doesn’t stand up as well over time, needing to be resealed and stained over the years. It’s also susceptible to mould and rot.

Aluminum pergolas are durable and long-lasting — up to 30 years — and are resistant to rust, warping and cracking. They range from around $1,300 to over $6,000.

Vinyl structures are less expensive — anywhere from $950 to over $6,000 — and easier to maintain but more prone to damage from the elements.

Vandenberg says a handy homeowner could probably build a wood structure, but metal post and frame is best left to a contractor. He also notes there can be a convoluted permitting process that, depending on your municipality, can be either quick or slow.

Ilott says louvered roof systems are becoming more popular, albeit more expensive (ranging from $2,000 for DIY to $35,000 for professional installation).

“They’re aluminum so really low maintenance and they can bear the weight of snow, and they have a gutter system for rain. When the sun is out you just tilt the louvres and get full light coming in.”

Shade trees

You can’t get more natural shade than a broad-leafed tree. There’s also the bonus of the beautiful foliage they add to your backyard, not to mention the potential savings on energy bills: B.C. Hydro estimates that shade trees planted on the south or west sides of homes can reduce cooling costs by as much as 35 per cent.

But with newer homes being built on smaller acreage, there’s precious space for large, stately shade trees. Better options include species that are narrow and vertical. Still, a good deciduous tree can cast a nice shadow. The downside is that they drop their colourful leaves every fall, making for a laborious cleanup.

“But once the leaves come off, light comes during the winter,” says Vandenberg. “Maple trees with the bigger leaves work well but they also don’t get so big that they become a danger to the house in 20 or 30 years.”

He says fast-growing trees are another option, but the downside is they continue to be fast-growing. “After planting, in 10 years it’s perfect, but in 20 years it’s probably too big and too close to the house and starting to become a hazard. Too often we’re taking out a massive tree and it’s very costly.”

An alternative, he says, is a pergola or arbour that can be covered in fast-growing vines like clematis, wisteria or honeysuckle. “They’re not only shady, but pretty to look at.”

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

375 East 40th Ave., Vancouver

Type: Five-bedroom, four-bathroom detached

Size: 2,956 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $2,852,000

Listed for: $3,498,000

Sold for: $3,500,000

Sold on: April 18

Days on market in this listing: Two

Listing agent: Bridget Ross at Stilhavn Real Estate Services

Buyers agent: Sam Heller at Heller Murch Realty

The big sell: It took two days for this five-bedroom house just east of Main Street to be snapped up. Built in 2016, it sits behind a white picket fence and landscaped garden giving it instant curb appeal. Inside, the three-storey layout displays elevated craftsmanship with a built-in floor-to-ceiling bookshelf, a Sonos sound system, and a wood-burning fireplace (with the option to convert to gas) in the living room, an elegant kitchen finished with bespoke cabinets, engineered stone counters, and marble backsplash, and a study complete with a custom-made desk and daybed nook that leads into the dining room where French doors open to the private garden and cedar hot tub. There are four bedrooms upstairs alongside two full bathrooms with radiant heat, while the finished lower floor is fully plumbed and wired for a legal suite. A two-car garage with lane access comes fully equipped with an electric vehicle charger.

103 — 2478 Welcher Ave., Port Coquitlam

Type: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment

Size: 884 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $630,000

Listed for: $749,900

Sold for: $730,000

Sold on: March 30

Days on market in this listing: Four

Listing agent: Kylene Shannon PREC and Caprice Stadnyk at Macdonald Realty (Langley)

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

The big sell: This renovated two-bedroom condo resides in Harmony, a four-storey condominium development constructed in 2008 in downtown Port Coquitlam with the West Coast Express, shopping, and Gates Park all nearby. Due to its ground-floor position, this unit has a private, keyed entrance off the street, and a large partially-covered patio bordered by privacy hedging. The interior of the home shines with modern flooring, crown moulding, new doors, designer light fixtures, California wood shutters and blinds, updated bathrooms, fresh paintwork, and a stylish electric fireplace. The brand new kitchen features white Shaker-style cabinets, stainless-steel appliances, and a quartz countertop and backsplash, and all of this under nine-foot-high ceilings. The pet- and rental-friendly building offers a bike room, gym, and guest suite, while this unit comes with a storage locker, two underground parking spots, and a monthly maintenance fee of $380.00.

2767 Charles St., Vancouver

Type: Four-bedroom, two-bathroom detached

Size: 1,289 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,582,800

Listed for: $1,498,000

Sold for: $1,600,000

Sold on: March 28

Days on market in this listing: Eight

Listing agent: Marty Pospischil at Pospischil Realty Group

Buyers agent: Graeme Lin PREC at Oakwyn Realty

The big sell: According to the listing agency Pospischil Realty Group, multiple offers were received for this classic 1940s bungalow located in east Vancouver’s Renfrew district with the successful bid coming in at $102,000 over the listed price. Sitting on a 33-by-110 foot lot, it features four bedrooms and two bathrooms divided between the two-level layout with almost identical square foot dimensions on each floor. On the main level, there are thin-slat oak hardwood floors, a brick-surround wood-burning fireplace, and corner windows in the living room, an updated functional kitchen with an eating area and views across the rear garden, and two bedrooms that are separated by a four-piece bathroom. Downstairs, there are a further two bedrooms and a bathroom, as well as laundry and mud rooms. The rear garden is fully fenced and mainly lawned, and contains a single-car garage with lane access.

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

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

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Walking into the University of British Columbia’s new school of biomedical engineering (the Gordon B. Shrum Building), the first thing you notice is light. Soft, northern light that filters through floor-to-ceiling windows lining the lab spaces. The Shrum building sits on University Boulevard but feels cocooned from the hustle of campus thanks to a preserved grove of London plane trees surrounding a quiet courtyard.

Greg Boothroyd, principal architect at Patkau Architects, who designed this new facility, says those trees weren’t meant to survive the development.

“UBC originally envisioned that these trees and this courtyard area would probably be destroyed because the building is so big. But when we came to the site and we saw these trees in this courtyard, we were like, forget it,” says Boothroyd. They found a way to keep them and in doing so, the site has a really interesting geometric shape, he says.

Designing across disciplines

UBC’s new school of biomedical engineering is a relatively new discipline that combines the rigour of engineering with the care of medicine. It’s the first time in Canada that the faculties of medicine and engineering have joined forces to share not just a space, but also a discipline, says Boothroyd.

Better together

Patkau Architects also collaborated with others to pull this project off.

“We have done many academic buildings, but never something quite as complex as a lab, so we partnered with Architecture 49 , who are lab specialists. It was a nice collaboration, and a good experience designing a building with such technical complexity,” he says.

A COVID creation

Another first for Patkau, this building was designed almost entirely over Zoom, during the early days of the COVID pandemic, says Boothroyd.

Some of the digital processes they learned through this time have stuck, he says.

“With projects that are at a distance, there’s just much less travel that’s required. It’s good for the environment, and good for people’s lives as well.”

Form meets function

Inside the Shrum Building, labs line the northern side, creating soft daylight. The offices are on the south side, and in between is an atrium, full of sunlight and intersecting triangles. This has been designed as a place for casual run-ins and spontaneous chats, says Boothroyd.

“It is a building that helps create opportunities for serendipitous interaction in everyone’s day. By having this big open lab that you walk through you see the work of your colleagues and get a sense of what it’s like to work in a research community. You’re not in an isolated silo.”

On the ground floor, maker spaces and design studios line the boulevard, offering glimpses into student life.

“People walking down the street get a glimpse at some of these super cool things students are building and making as they walk by, and hopefully they’ll draw them into the building and get them inside and interested in biomedical engineering,” says Boothroyd.

Teaching that can’t be YouTubed

Even the lecture halls in this building challenge conventional lecture design. One has rectangular tables for group work, another is tiered so students can swivel their chairs and collaborate.

“If you want to watch a lecture, you can just watch it on YouTube. The teaching style now is focused on more activities that you can’t do on YouTube,” says Boothroyd.

A lunchroom on the third floor, with a deck and kitchen, acts as yet another collaboration zone. There is a big open deck off the lunchroom. There is a corner designed for informal lunch-hour lectures.

“It’s a neat space and is already being very well used,” says Boothroyd.

Challenges and surprises

This was a challenging project because of the construction environment during COVID, says Boothroyd, but they had an amazing team on the project, a great contractor and project manager, and it was done on budget and on time, he says.

When asked what surprised him most about this completed building, Boothroyd doesn’t hesitate.

“The upper atrium. You think you know what a space will feel like from 3D models, but when I walked into it, it was better than I imagined. Full of light, but also intimate. It makes you want to stay.”

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Father’s Day is just around the corner. Show the special dads in your life some love this June 15 with a thoughtful gift.

From space-saving pots and pans for your home chef to a sporty Canadian-made portable cooler for that outdoorsy adventurer, here are five Father’s Day gift ideas sure to please even the fussiest father.

For the dad whose happy place is the back forty

Give your dad the perfect excuse to hang outside this Father’s Day. Vivere’s Combo Double Hammock promises the freedom to set up and snooze anywhere you choose, as it can be hooked to trees or stand solo. Comes with a carry bag and the opportunity to pretend he’s on vacation anywhere — or time — he likes.

$179.00 (online only) | Home Depot.ca

Say ‘yes’ to the dad who’s a chef

For the dad whose love language is food and can’t help cooking with every pot and pan in sight, T-fal’s Ingenio Expertise — stackable cookware with removable handles — is easy to clean and also an ingenious space saving hack. These practical pans are available in sets of three, eight or 14 and come in a rainbow of colours to match any kitchen decor style.

From $87 to $270 | Amazon.ca

For the dad who loves to lounge in comfort

Get dad the perfect throne for kicking back and napping. Dutch design brand’s Fatboy Bean Bags combine fun design with water-resistant durability. Canadian orders are stuffed and shipped from Fatboy’s Montreal-based warehouse, so there’s still time to secure dad the gift of ultimate comfort.

 From $269 | Fatboy Bean Bags

For the dad who appreciates coastal landscapes

Wall Art on Wood’s coaster sets are a great choice for the fellow who can’t get enough of the wild shores of the West Coast. Handcrafted in Esquimalt on Vancouver Island, the cork-backed coasters are sold in sets of four and feature prints of original art signed by the maker.

$33 | Etsy.ca

For the dad who needs to keep his cool

Whether he camps, fishes or picnics in the park, the Woods Boreal Cooler’s 65-litre model is made in Canada and a super choice for your dad’s outdoor adventures. Its spacious, durable and designed not only to keep drinks and food chilled, but to look cool too.

$159.99 | Canadian Tire

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If Vancouver city council gives the go-ahead on Wednesday, Granville Street could one day resemble a mix of car-free Las Ramblas in Barcelona, with the live music of Nashville’s Broadway, plus a touch of the bright lights of Tokyo’s Shibuya pedestrian crossing.

That is the 20-year vision for a striking new plan to revitalize the city’s once-neon-lit grand old dame of a street, which has fallen on hard times.

The plan, which envisions all of Granville eventually being car-free from the bridge over False Creek to Waterfront Station, could cost up to $140 million in 2025 dollars, according preliminary estimates in the report, which was two years in the making.

“Currently, the area faces challenges with vacant storefronts, lack of daytime activity, and rising health, safety and street-disorder concerns, contributing to a negative perception of the Granville Entertainment District,” the report states.

The plan keys on three areas: The city centre (between Georgia and Smithe streets) with mixed-use residential developments including some of the city’s tallest towers; the entertainment core (between Smithe and Davie streets), a hub of live music, theatres and restaurants; and the bridgehead (between Davie and Drake Streets) with a quieter mix of residential, local shops and cultural spaces.

If approved, the plan eventually envisions the creation of a “world-class destination public space gradually working toward a year-round shore-to-shore pedestrian zone.”

Built around the time the city was founded, Granville soon became known as Theatre Row, and welcomed trolleys heading up and down. By the 1950s, it glowed with endless neon signs, and today is still home to icons such as the Orpheum Theatre and Commodore Ballroom.

The plan’s goal is to transform Granville into an arts, entertainment and cultural destination, with more restaurants and patios.

That includes improving safety, live music, expanded hotel space, mixed-use residential (including tall towers 200 and 400 feet high, taller than previously allowed, near the Canada Line Station at Georgia), and single-room occupancy social housing.

There are eight single-room accommodation buildings on Granville, the report states, containing about 600 rooms, many of them privately owned, which the city plans to replace with self-contained social housing.

The preliminary estimated cost is between $90 million and $140 million.

There is a proposed new plaza at Granville and Robson streets, which would be home giant digital billboards, like Manhattan’s Times Square or Piccadilly Circus in London’s West End, showing visual art and live-event screenings along with advertisements.

At the moment, about 1,100 TransLink buses ply the corridor daily, carrying 21,000 passengers. Those would be shifted to adjacent Seymour and Howe streets, after those roads are upgraded.

“Granville Street, part of Vancouver’s historic streetcar network, remains a busy transit corridor connecting key areas,” the report reads.

“The 2010 Winter Olympics marked a peak of activity, with significant changes including the introduction of the Canada Line and public realm improvements,” it says. “Despite (today’s) challenges, Granville Street has significant opportunities.

“The Granville Street plan will enhance the area’s future for businesses, venues, visitors, and residents. The plan’s vision aligns efforts across city departments, private property owners, and business and venue operators to transform Granville into a dynamic destination for culture, performance, and entertainment.”

There will be regular reviews and updates to ensure the plan adapts to changing contexts, the report says.

Before presenting the plan to council, the city held a dozen public workshops, held youth roundtables and public walking tours, received 5,700 completed surveys and heard 11,000 comments.

The city also met with business and hospitality associations, arts and cultural organizations, social service providers, and public agencies such as B.C. Housing and TransLink.

After the final round of engagement this past February, support for the vision was 76 per cent, the report says.

gordmcintyre@postmedia.com

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If Vancouver city council gives the go-ahead on Wednesday, Granville Street could one day resemble a mix of car-free Las Ramblas in Barcelona, with the live music of Nashville’s Broadway, plus a touch of the bright lights of Tokyo’s Shibuya pedestrian crossing.

That is the 20-year vision for a striking new plan to revitalize the city’s once-neon-lit grand old dame of a street, which has fallen on hard times.

The plan, which envisions all of Granville eventually being car-free from the bridge over False Creek to Waterfront Station, could cost up to $140 million in 2025 dollars, according preliminary estimates in the report, which was two years in the making.

“Currently, the area faces challenges with vacant storefronts, lack of daytime activity, and rising health, safety and street-disorder concerns, contributing to a negative perception of the Granville Entertainment District,” the report states.

The plan keys on three areas: The city centre (between Georgia and Smithe streets) with mixed-use residential developments including some of the city’s tallest towers; the entertainment core (between Smithe and Davie streets), a hub of live music, theatres and restaurants; and the bridgehead (between Davie and Drake Streets) with a quieter mix of residential, local shops and cultural spaces.

If approved, the plan eventually envisions the creation of a “world-class destination public space gradually working toward a year-round shore-to-shore pedestrian zone.”

Built around the time the city was founded, Granville soon became known as Theatre Row, and welcomed trolleys heading up and down. By the 1950s, it glowed with endless neon signs, and today is still home to icons such as the Orpheum Theatre and Commodore Ballroom.

The plan’s goal is to transform Granville into an arts, entertainment and cultural destination, with more restaurants and patios.

That includes improving safety, live music, expanded hotel space, mixed-use residential (including tall towers 200 and 400 feet high, taller than previously allowed, near the Canada Line Station at Georgia), and single-room occupancy social housing.

There are eight single-room accommodation buildings on Granville, the report states, containing about 600 rooms, many of them privately owned, which the city plans to replace with self-contained social housing.

The preliminary estimated cost is between $90 million and $140 million.

There is a proposed new plaza at Granville and Robson streets, which would be home giant digital billboards, like Manhattan’s Times Square or Piccadilly Circus in London’s West End, showing visual art and live-event screenings along with advertisements.

At the moment, about 1,100 TransLink buses ply the corridor daily, carrying 21,000 passengers. Those would be shifted to adjacent Seymour and Howe streets, after those roads are upgraded.

“Granville Street, part of Vancouver’s historic streetcar network, remains a busy transit corridor connecting key areas,” the report reads.

“The 2010 Winter Olympics marked a peak of activity, with significant changes including the introduction of the Canada Line and public realm improvements,” it says. “Despite (today’s) challenges, Granville Street has significant opportunities.

“The Granville Street plan will enhance the area’s future for businesses, venues, visitors, and residents. The plan’s vision aligns efforts across city departments, private property owners, and business and venue operators to transform Granville into a dynamic destination for culture, performance, and entertainment.”

There will be regular reviews and updates to ensure the plan adapts to changing contexts, the report says.

Before presenting the plan to council, the city held a dozen public workshops, held youth roundtables and public walking tours, received 5,700 completed surveys and heard 11,000 comments.

The city also met with business and hospitality associations, arts and cultural organizations, social service providers, and public agencies such as B.C. Housing and TransLink.

After the final round of engagement this past February, support for the vision was 76 per cent, the report says.

Finally, as temperatures continue to warm up, it’s time to plant the three most popular fruits that can be enjoyed well into late summer. Whether grown in garden beds or in containers, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers are the favourites for summer menus.

There has been an explosion of plant breeding for each of these amazing edibles. It’s challenging to keep on top of all the new varieties because there is always the risk of missing out on some tasty new opportunity. In both the gardening and culinary worlds, when we select a favourite variety, it tends to become entrenched, and it’s hard to develop a relationship with a new introduction. In both disciplines, however, continually experimenting helps us discover even more delights.

Tomatoes are, perhaps, the most challenging. As a grower, it’s becoming more of an issue each year trying to decide which varieties to produce from the hundreds available. As with all edibles, it’s about the flavour, the ease of growing, weather adaptability and a variety’s tolerance of pests and diseases that determines the best ones to grow. Public demand, however, is the No. 1 reason to grow a particular variety.

I find it easier to break tomatoes into categories. Slicing tomatoes are still the most popular tomatoes, and yes, old heritage varieties, like Black Prince and Cherokee Purple, continue to hold the edge on flavour. However, many take 80 to 90 days to mature, and folks want to enjoy tomatoes in July, not wait until mid-August.

Slicing tomatoes, that mature in 60 to 70 days from an established plant, can provide fruit as early as mid-July. Early Girl and Early Girl Plus are among the earliest to mature, but varieties like Celebrity, Bush, Champion and Super Fantastic are all great. Coming in a few days later are the larger 8-ounce size Better Boy, the 8- to 10-ounce Big Beef and the 12- to 16-ounce Beefmaster, and all have good flavour. If you want the big, tasty giants, like the 32-ounce Supersteak, the 2- to 4-pound SteakHouse or the up to 4-pound Porterhouse, you will have to wait until mid-August.

As mentioned, in terms of timing, the heirloom varieties will take 80 to 90 days to harvest. The 8-12 ounce Black Krim is ready in 80 days; the 16- to 24-ounce Mortgage Lifter matures in 80 to 90 days; and the 32-ounce Pineapple will make you wait 90 days.

Small fruit tomatoes rank in popularity right after the slicers simply because they produce so many bite-sized fruits so quickly. The super sweet Sugar Rush is among the earliest, producing in 50 to 55 days. Some of my favourites, like Sweet Gold and Sun Sugar, produce in 62 days; while Sungold is ready in 65 days.  The traditional red Sweet 100 takes 65 days, and Sweet Million produces in 60-62 days.

The very best hanging basket or container varieties are Tumbler at 45 days, followed by Tumbling Tom Red and Tumbling Tom Yellow, both at 65 days. Because they are so prolific and produce continuously, these varieties are usually the earliest tomatoes you will enjoy each year and among the last of the season.

There are so many tomato novelties, like grape tomatoes, paste tomatoes, varieties with unique colours, such as Chocolate Sprinkles, tomatoes shaped like pears and dipping varieties. We almost have too many varieties, but it keeps gardening fun, and discovering new flavours is always exciting.

Peppers have become very much a part of our summer gardens and year-round cuisine. Their flavouring, and spicy heat make them incredibly versatile. In order to connect them in groupings for culinary uses, the Ball Horticultural Corporation, one of the world’s largest, has classified peppers in simpler terms such as sweet bell, sweet non-bell, Anaheim, ancho/poblano, chili, cubanelle, ethnic hot, habanero, jalapeño, serrano and specialty hot pepper.

The nice feature of sweet bell peppers is their wonderful, fresh garden flavour, as well as their stunning range of colours. From orange, green, red and lime to chocolate, purple, yellow and now candy stripe, they truly create a potpourri of colour. Sweet, non-bells excel in colour, flavour and unique shapes. In terms of spicy heat, the runaway favourites are the jalapeño varieties. Anaheims, ancho/poblanos and serranos have a comfortable heat with which to work. They rank in the range of 1 and 2 in Scoville heat units.

Today’s young gardeners and foodies love hot peppers and know their limits with the super hots. When experimenting with peppers, proceed gradually up the Scoville scale. Some very hot varieties, like Carolina Reaper, Trinidad Scorpion and Bhut Jolokia (Ghost), can cause serious burns, so be cautious.

Cucumbers are some of the easiest vegetables to grow, and they are among the most productive, especially planted in containers. Seedless or burpless varieties are becoming today’s favourites because they are sweet, easy to digest and bitter free. If you love the long, straight 12- to 14-inch varieties, then Burpless Supreme and Tasty Green are two of the varieties you may wish to try.  If you insist on the super long varieties, then English Telegraph, stretching up to 18 inches long, is the variety to look for. The trend, however, is to go shorter. One of the popular varieties today is a short burpless, called Perseus, which grows only 5-6 inches long, making it easy to finish up at one sitting.

The new superstars are the miniature burpless cucumbers. Mini-Me and Quick Snack are great container varieties and, when trellised, are very productive, producing an amazing number of 2-3.5-inch deliciously sweet, bite-size fruits all summer.

Pickling cucumbers are hugely popular for summer preserves, and new varieties, like Gherking, are bitter free and ideal for fresh eating or pickles.

The beauty of growing cucumbers is their short growing time, anywhere from 45 to 60 days, and they love the heat of summer.

Even though summer is still a little way off, having tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers growing in your garden or on your patio will mean the promise of some great summer flavours to look forward to.

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