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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

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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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In high-end Canadian home design, outdoor kitchens are no longer a luxury — they’re a must. As more homeowners extend their living spaces beyond the four walls, expectations for outdoor kitchen performance and design have risen sharply.

Postmedia sat down with three innovative brands: Urban Bonfire , DCS Appliances and Cosentino , to hear how they’re meeting Canada’s unique outdoor demands, from -30°C winters to 30°C summers.

Hot competition

For years, designing an outdoor kitchen meant compromising on either performance or esthetics, but this is no longer the case, says Urban Bonfire’s co-founder and president Ryan Bloom.

The performance and esthetic of outdoor kitchens now matches that of indoor kitchens, says Bloom.

To meet modern, urban demand, they recently released their Urban Bonfire x Dekton collection (Dekton being a Cosentino surfacing product). The line is minimalist, luxurious and easy to use, featuring Italian-crafted Fògher grills, integrated Pitt Cooking burners, built-in refrigeration and drop-down sink faucets.

“We’ve placed a strong emphasis on the balance of textures, incorporating materials that not only endure the elements but also add a tactile dimension to the outdoor cooking experience. It’s a fresh take on outdoor kitchens that we hope expands the way users and designers think about their outdoor gathering and entertaining spaces,” says Bloom.

Smart grills

Outdoor cooking is getting smarter, with DCS introducing intuitive features aimed at making it easier for people to grill year-round. Their Series 9 Grills include in-hood lighting, colour-coded dial lights for safety (white when the grill is on, orange when it’s being used) and a smooth one-handed hood that opens 90 degrees.

The newest DCS 48″ Series 9 Grill comes packed with optional add-ons like a griddle plate, integrated charcoal smoker tray, and an 18,000 BTU rotisserie burner with a 50-pound capacity. For multitaskers, flexible cooking zones make it easy to sear a steak while slow-cooking veggies nearby.

“Consumers’ needs are rapidly changing. They no longer settle for a simple grill, but demand the versatility, convenience, and esthetic cohesion of a full outdoor kitchen, complete with dedicated cooking zones for every technique imaginable, proper refrigeration, and ample prep and storage,” says Matthew Zagarrio, DCS’s development manager for Canada.

Built to last in Canadian climates

Durability is key when cooking outside in Canada — think snow, ice, rain and intense heat.

To handle Canada’s extreme weather, Urban Bonfire uses marine-grade aluminum for its cabinetry, along with a powder coating designed to resist corrosion and bacteria. The hardware — including hinges, drawer slides and levelling legs — is stainless steel.

DCS grills are constructed from 304-grade stainless steel with welded joints to minimize rust, while Cosentino’s Dekton surfaces are engineered to endure thermal shock and repeated freeze-thaw cycles, making them suitable for a range of climates across the country.

“Whether you’re in coastal British Columbia or the snowy provinces of Eastern Canada, Dekton maintains its integrity and beauty, offering homeowners peace of mind,” says Karim Guirguis, regional director north at Cosentino.

Material innovation meets mindful design

Designers are increasingly choosing Cosentino’s surfaces not just for their looks, but for their sustainability, says Guirguis.

Dekton is the first surface of its kind to achieve carbon neutrality across its full life cycle, says Guirguis. To produce this product, 99 per cent of the water used is recycled, and the energy used is 100 per cent renewable. Many of their collections also use recycled materials, he says.

Designers are increasingly attracted to Cosentino surfaces not only for their appearance but also for sustainability, says Guirguis. Dekton is the first surface of its kind to achieve carbon neutrality over its entire life cycle, using 99 per cent recycled water and 100 per cent renewable energy in its production.

A seamless fit

The latest shift in outdoor kitchens is integration. No more mismatched appliances or clunky cabinetry. Urban Bonfire and Cosentino now co-develop products to ensure a unified look and feel.

“Every element, from materials to appliances, works together as a cohesive and enduring outdoor living solution,” says Guirguis.

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A new chapter has been unfolding for Monika Hibbs.

The Canadian home-decor and lifestyle author, influencer and retailer recently announced the rebrand of Monika Hibbs Home to Acres Market & Interiors.

We caught up with Hibbs for a chat about what’s in store.

Q: Tell us about Acres Market & Interiors.

Acres Market & Interiors marks an exciting new chapter for what was formerly Monika Hibbs Home. It still represents my brand and my eye for beautiful decor — elevated under a new name. Acres Market & Interiors encompasses Monika Hibbs Home house brand, online shop , storefront at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, and [husband] Troy’s custom homebuilding company, Acres Estate Homes.

Q: How has the brand evolved?

My journey of creating my own brand began in 2011 when I started blogging and sharing glimpses of our life such as design projects, family travels and building our own homes. That early online presence helped build a strong community. By 2019, we opened our first retail store, Monika Hibbs Home. That growth has led us to where we are today with Acres Market & Interiors — a brand that’s a true reflection of where we’re headed.

Q: What sets Acres Market & Interiors apart?

The trust we’ve built over the years. Even though this is a rebrand, the foundation of quality, care and customer connection remains. We focus on creating a unique and intentional customer experience.

Q: Who is your target customer?

We’re noticing that it’s a little bit of everyone. Our customers value quality over quantity and are drawn to pieces with meaning and craftsmanship. They might be young women furnishing their first apartments, couples designing family homes or someone looking for a unique gift. Our pieces come from artisans around the world — Peru, England, France, Italy, Guatemala, Vermont, local Canadian makers — and tell a story.

Q: Is there a customer favourite, and why do you think it resonates?

Definitely! Our in-house brass dinner bells are one of our customer’s favourites — they come in multiple sizes and finishes, including a new creamy white enamel.  Our linen tea towels are another favourite. They’re beautifully designed, with thoughtful touches like a central hanging loop.

Q: What is your price range?

We offer a wide range. You can find small items under $50, like tea towels or candles, all the way up to custom furniture pieces.

Q: Where can people find your products?

We’re online and we have a physical location at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley. It’s a fantastic destination — especially in the summer — with equestrian events, food, and shopping. Our storefront is part of Vendor Row and gives visitors a chance to experience the brand in person. You can also find us on Instagram, @acres.interiors.

Q: What can you share about new products?

We’ve recently added custom upholstered furniture from Lee Industries — a brand I’ve long admired. We’re continuously bringing in new pieces from our coveted favourites such as handmade pottery from Farmhouse Pottery in Vermont to bespoke hardware pieces from Armac Martin in England. We have new designs coming for our in-house MH wallpapers and textiles. Everything we launch stays true to our brand — timeless, high-quality, and beautifully curated.

mbroberts@postmedia.com

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The excitement of buying a new condo doesn’t stop once the contract is signed – that’s when many homebuyers start dreaming about decorating their new space and potentially gathering a few furnishings and homewares while waiting for the front-door keys.

Interior designers, who typically create neutral colour palettes in multi-family developments to avoid imposing a specific style that may not appeal to all buyers, say homebuyers who want to collect a few pieces to infuse the space with their own personality and style should be intentional about shopping for their condo.

Natalia Kwasnicki, partner at Portico Design Group , says it’s important to have a clear sense of personal style and esthetic when decorating a new space.

“This can be achieved by creating a Pinterest board or collecting inspiration images to understand what you’re drawn to. The goal is to recreate the essence of a design concept using pieces you already own or can acquire,” she says.

Charyle Ross, principal at Ross & Company Interiors suggests keeping a copy of the floorplan (with measurements) along with any brochures, colour swatches and photos that may have been taken during visits to the sales centre – these will be reminders of the selected colour palette.

“Does the colour scheme have warm or cool tones, is it light and airy or does it have darker tones that create an atmosphere of drama and intimacy? These are important aspects to consider when thinking about purchases for a new home.”

Ross says when buyers walk through a home store, they’re often subconsciously looking for pieces that “match the feeling” of their space — or the space they want to create.

“If your home has a strong palette (e.g. warm neutrals), items that clash with that mood may feel wrong, even if they’re objectively beautiful,” she says.

“The tone of the palette is important – especially for smaller purchases that bring personality into a space. These items help cement the emotional language of a home,” adds Ross.

When making a purchase she suggests asking: “Would this piece make the space feel more like the home I want?”

One of the spaces homebuyers often imagine curating before they move in is an open shelf.

“By considering shelf dimensions and tone early, [homebuyers will] avoid clutter and make confident purchases that feel intentional later. A vase here, a small, framed print there and they’re already halfway to a beautifully styled home,” says Ross.

To decorate smaller spaces – like open shelves – Kwasnicki advises against decorating with too many really small objects.

“You always want it anchored with one larger item and then using the smaller items as supporting players,” she says. “Layering is just so important in decor, it gives design depth, it gives things more life, it makes it feel more lived in to have these layers. It’s a vase on top of books with a plant – different textures and different heights and different materials.”

Ross agrees and her pro tip for styling a shelf is to follow the rule of thirds: use a single item or groups of three or five while also mixing textures and layering by placing shorter items in front of taller ones, lean books or art in frames behind objects.

“Leave some white space: Not every inch needs to be filled – let things breathe,” she says.

If homebuyers want to acquire more than a few tchotchkes in anticipation of move-in day – perhaps a rug is on the shopping list – it’s imperative to keep the floorplan top of mind, says Kwasnicki.

“Certainly, you want to make sure that the size [of the rug] is appropriate and it’s hard to do that until you’re in the space itself. But I think there’s something to be said about anchoring an entire room around a rug that you really love and letting that be the inspiration for the rest of the space, especially if you’ve bought that rug while travelling or something like that. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with building an esthetic around that one special piece, but for large, chunky pieces, you certainly want to make sure you have a good sense of how that feels in the space size wise before you buy,” she says.

In condo kitchens every inch counts and form meeting function is essential. Ross notes limited storage often means certain items will live out in the open — on countertops, cooktops, or open shelves — by necessity. She says when people are shopping for kitchenware, they should be thinking not just, “Do I need this?” but also, “Will I mind seeing this every day?”

Tanya Ali, founder and creative director at Tali + Roche Designs , agrees and emphasizes that when a space is cluttered it looks smaller, messier and disorganized.

“Your nervous system has a harder time relaxing in that area. So, if you purchase dual purpose items – useful and beautiful – like a unique charcuterie board or Le Creuset cookware it helps keep the space tidy. Use the charcuterie board as a tray on the coffee table and leave a statement piece like a Le Creuset Dutch oven on top of the stove,” she says. “Use things you love that you have bought or inherited as styling elements.”

Ali says casserole dishes can work in place of traditional fruit bowls and if you’re a foodie, cookbooks easily double as decor.

For those moving from renter to homeowner making even one thoughtful splurge can completely shift the vibe of their new home from “hand-me-down and temporary” to fresh, grounded and truly their own, says Ross.

A design-forward accent chair may be just the thing to freshen up a living room, especially if the sofa from the rental is making the move, she says.

“Look for a cosy boucle or velvet fabric, wood or leather accents or something sculptural or lower profile that adds contrast,” says Ross.

Kwasnicki says when it comes to splurges for a new home, investing in a high-quality sofa, rug, or lighting can have a significant impact on transforming the overall esthetic. Incorporating vintage or well-loved pieces alongside new furnishings can also help give a space a warm, lived-in feel.

Ali notes “splurge” is a matter of perspective – one person’s splurge is an essential item for another.

Consider beautiful glassware or a decorative vase. However, if budget isn’t a constraint Ali suggests investing in artwork.

“Artwork is the no-brainer because it tends to appreciate and make a statement in the space. If the space is neutral, that’s your opportunity for a punch of colour and adding your personal style to the space,” she says.

Kwasnicki concurs.

“A huge way to add personality is with art. You could get a piece from Etsy or you could make something of your own or you could invest in an expensive piece of art. Collecting a few pieces of art before you move in will add character to a space,” she says.

For a splurge, Ross says it’s worthwhile asking: “What’s one item I didn’t allow myself to buy when I was renting?”

“Often, that’s the thing worth splurging on now — whether it’s a beautiful light fixture, a hand-knotted rug or an iconic chair. It marks the shift from temporary to intentional living,” she says, adding, “It’s not about buying more — it’s about buying one thing that tells a new story.”

Form and Function in a Condo Kitchen

In small kitchens, what stays out becomes part of the decor so it’s worth investing in a few quality pieces you’ll see every day – especially those with visual texture, soft colour, or sculptural form. A thoughtfully chosen charcuterie board, a handsome oil bottle, or a ceramic utensil crock aren’t just practical, they’re design features that are memorable says Charyle Ross, principal at Ross & Company Interiors, who compiled this guide on what to look for, why esthetics matter, and how to make practical choices that still feel curated.

Charcuterie Boards and Cutting Boards

These often live against the backsplash, stacked or upright in a tray.

Choose one with:

• Beautiful wood grain (walnut, acacia, olive wood);
• Interesting shape (handle, paddle-shaped, or round adds interest);
• Vintage details or reclaimed wood for warmth and uniqueness.

Tip: A well-chosen board can double as prep surface, cheese board, or even hot dish trivet during entertaining.

Everyday Cookware (Pots, Dutch ovens)

• If counter or cooktop real estate is limited, your Le Creuset or Staub might be on display.
• Choose cookware in neutral or tonal colours (e.g. matte black, cream, soft green) that harmonize with your space.
• Matte finishes hide smudges better than glossy ones.

Tip: A Dutch oven in a colour you love can sit on the stove as a permanent anchor piece.

Oil Dispensers and Spice Jars

• Refillable glass or ceramic oil bottles look much better than branded store bottles.
• Buy spice jars in uniform sizes and display a few daily-use ones in a tray or small riser.

Tip: A small lazy Susan in marble or wood is a chic way to corral oils, salts and jars.

Utensils and Holders

• A ceramic or stone utensil crock is more visually pleasing than a plastic one.
• Grouping wooden spoons, brass utensils or matte black tools can become a subtle design feature.

Canisters and Dry Goods

Attractive, airtight jars (glass or ceramic) can be used for:

• Coffee
• Pasta
• Baking essentials

These are often necessary countertop residents in tight kitchens—so style them as part of the space.

Mindset Shift: Design-Forward Essentials

Instead of thinking: “Where will I hide this?” think “What would I be happy to see every day?”

This mindset makes shopping more intentional –and ensures you won’t be scrambling for storage or frustrated by clutter later.

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

1806 Juniper Pl., Port Moody

Type: Four-bedroom, three-bathroom detached

Size: 2,512 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,720,000

Listed for: $1,830,000

Sold for: $1,790,000

Sold on: May 29

Days on market in this listing: 14

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

Buyers agent: Devon Samson PREC at Oakwyn Realty

The big sell: This four-bedroom Port Moody house boasts not only a private cul-de-sac location and a lot size of almost 7,000 square feet, but an extensively updated interior too. Built in 1982, the two-storey home was fully renovated in 2018 with a hot-water-on-demand system, premium JennAir appliances, custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, a large kitchen island with built-in storage and bar seating, bay windows, two linear floating gas fireplaces with stylish surrounds, bespoke tiling, recessed lighting, and laminate flooring throughout. The upgrades continue outside with professional landscaping, an irrigation system, and ambient lighting, all of which can be enjoyed from an entertainment-sized patio and a covered deck. The property is located in the city’s Mountain Meadows neighbourhood with elementary schools, Newport Village, Eagle Ridge Hospital, transit, and shopping nearby.

4171 Campobello Pl., Richmond

Type: Five-bedroom, three-bathroom detached

Size: 2,431 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,508,100

Listed for: $1,699,900

Sold for: $1,660,000

Sold on: May 9

Days on market in this listing: Two

Listing agent: Shafik Ladha PREC at ReMax Westcoast

Buyers agent: Graeme Liu PREC at eXp Realty

The big sell: This Steveston family home enjoys a private position with no neighbours to the rear thanks to a stretch of greenbelt located directly behind it. It was built in 1980 with a two-level interior that accommodates five bedrooms in total — three on the main level alongside the primary living space, and two on the ground floor within a mortgage-helping or extended family suite. In recent years, the home has undergone a number of big ticket updates such as upgrades to the roof, furnace, hot water tank, kitchen, bathrooms, paintwork, and railings, as well as the installation of laminate floors in the living room and bedrooms, and a new fence outside. There is a balcony off the primary bedroom above a single-car carport, as well as parking for additional vehicles in the driveway. Diefenbaker Elementary School is within walking distance, as is Minato Village with its retail services.

1269 Richards St., Vancouver

Type: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse

Size: 931 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $994,000

Listed for: $1,198,000

Sold for: $1,193,000

Sold on: May 26

Days on market in this listing: Seven

Listing agent: Danny Chow PREC and Salina Kai PREC at Rennie & Associates Realty

Buyers agent: Kim Leung at Leung Realty & Associates Inc.

The big sell: This two-storey townhome forms part of Oscar, a 211-unit development that was completed in 2002 with a mix of condominiums in the tower and townhouses on the ground level. With a location in the centre of Yaletown, there are plenty of amenities on the doorstep, but the building provides in-house facilities for residents too such as a fitness centre, media room, and social lounge. This fully redesigned unit features soaring 11-foot-high ceilings, a striking concrete and steel staircase, custom lighting, an electric fireplace, and a modern kitchen with a waterfall quartz countertop, sleek flat-panelled cabinets, a bar fridge, and banquette seating. There are two 12-foot-long patios — one on the ground level and one upstairs that leads into the communal courtyard. Both bedrooms and bathrooms are located on the upper floor, and the home comes with electric vehicle charging in its parking stall, a storage locker, and a monthly maintenance fee of $606.38.

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

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

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Some time earlier this year, a pair of bald eagles chose the top of a cedar tree in our backyard to build a nest.

For weeks, we had no idea they were there. It wasn’t until a neighbour spotted them ferrying bits of driftwood and sea grass from the nearby seashore that we knew they had taken up residence.

We were thrilled, and felt a proprietary sense of pride that they were nesting in one of our trees. They were our eagles … or, rather, we were their humans, privileged to live under the stern gaze of avian royalty.

At this writing, they are still there, raising their brood, although given that their nest is at the height of a 10-storey building, we have no idea of what is going on up there. We don’t know how many hatchlings there were, or how many of the eaglets have survived, but we occasionally see the parents’ comings and goings, and sometimes — brightly lit behind the backdrop of a blue sky — the white blaze of a feathered head popping up into view.

It is at ground level, though, that the eagles really make their presence felt. They have prodigious appetites, and, accordingly, shit prodigiously, and every morning we find our entire back deck splattered with shotgun-like blasts of white guano. (My wife was gardening in the backyard one afternoon when she felt, she said, “this bup-bup-bup-bup” on the back of her shirt. Having grown up in Steveston, where local lore had it that to be shat on by a seagull was good luck, she considered being carpet-bombed by an eagle to be the kind of luck that brought on winning lottery tickets.)

The eagles litter our yard with the detritus from their kills, too, including picked-over seagull and fish carcasses, feathers, a duck’s neck, a cat’s leg (a grizzly sight, that one), and, to our dismay, what we first believed to be the body of a young eaglet that had fallen out of the nest but which a birder later identified as that of a gosling.

Also, they are incredibly noisy, like the kind of neighbours whose partying attracts regular visits from the cops. Of that noise, one author wrote that “for such a powerful bird, the Bald Eagle emits surprisingly weak-sounding calls — usually a series of high-pitched whistling or piping notes.”

Our eagles don’t whistle or pipe, weakly or otherwise. They bitch. They bicker. Like all married couples, they screech at each other at all hours, demanding — and I’m extrapolating from my own experiences here — to know when dinner will be ready or when their spouse can take over watching the kids so they can please go to the damn bathroom. And rather than sounding as something as melodious as “piping”, the eagles’ calling more closely resembles a car alarm that will not stop despite how much you swear at it. It can be heard from blocks away, and possesses a high-pitched piercing quality that jangles the nerves. Any annoyance seems to set them off — pestering crows dive-bombing their nest, other eagles trespassing on their territory, or, simply, hunger. They start in the pre-dawn, reliably waking us and the neighbours at 4 a.m. with their hectoring, and keep at it all day.

Yet we feel lucky to be in their presence. B.C. boasts among the highest concentration of bald eagles in the world — the count is somewhere between 20,000 and 30,000 birds — and we are among the chosen few who host a nesting pair of them. But then we are lucky to live where we do, too, on a street a block from the ocean and in a neighbourhood still heavily treed with conifers big and mature enough to bear the weight of an eagle’s nest. Wild things can still find a home here.

It has, however, become less and less so. When we first moved into our home over 30 years ago, the neighbourhood was covered with an unbroken canopy of big cedars and pines. Opossums and coyotes roamed the streets at night. There were several heron rookeries. Swallows were common, and bats came out at night in numbers to feed. In the early mornings and at dusk, birdsong filled the air.

Over the years, though, many of the big trees have been cut down to make way for new homes, and the new homeowners’ priorities were more concerned with two-car garages than nesting sites for songbirds. Nature receded. The opossums disappeared and the coyotes grew shy. The herons moved on. The swallows’ and songbirds’ numbers shrank year by year, and to see a bat feeding and flitting about in the evening sky now is a rarity. The one constant? Raccoons still reliably tip over our garbage cans to feed. As annoying as that is, I take comfort in it. It’s nice to know they’re still here.

There is nothing new in this, of course, this dispiriting erosion of Nature. It’s nothing we haven’t heard before. We live with loss. We’ve grown used to it, inured to it, become expectant of it.

And yet, the eagles …

Every day I stand in the middle of the road and look up at the nest, waiting for a glimpse of them. I worry for them. Their existence seems ludicrously and needlessly precarious — their nest perching tippy-toe atop a tree 10 stories tall, and their nest open to predators, wind, heat, rain, lightning strikes … whatever an uncaring Nature can throw at them.

But there they are, improbably nesting in the middle of our suburb. And there I am, earth-bound and living under that still wild and lofty presence, while both of us wait for that day when a fledgling leaps off the edge of the nest and hope takes flight.

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A remarkable amount of plant breeding is taking place around the world, and it’s very interesting to get a sense of the types of new plants being developed.

Plant trials, conducted at many different locations, all with varying weather patterns, are the only way to determine if a new plant is viable in a particular area. The intensity and length of sunlight, humidity levels, rainfall and many other factors are all critical in determining the viability of each new plant in various situations.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Smith Gardens, a large Washington state wholesale grower. At their Marysville location, they are doing extensive trials for many different plant companies in Europe and North America. They have done an outstanding job, particularly in trialling new plant varieties for hanging baskets, containers and ground beds.

It was fascinating to see many of the new plant varieties, but it was even better to observe how they compared to some of the outstanding existing varieties, as well as their closest competitors from other breeders and plant suppliers.

It was also great to see how the plants performed in full sun, both in containers and ground beds. With so many selections, it was hard to pick the best plants, but after careful observation and evaluation, it became clear that there were some fabulous new introductions.

My No. 1 choice was a semi-trailing begonia with large flowers called Fragrant Falls. These tuberous-type begonias were sun tolerant, spilled nicely over hanging baskets and came in a beautiful colour series of soft pink and soft orange. They had a very full appearance and a nice perfume. Begonia baskets have certainly grown in popularity over the past few years, and this new series from Beekenkamp will definitely create even greater demand.

I’ve always been a fan of fibrous begonias because of their versatility in the landscape. From full sun to shade, as well as being both insect and disease tolerant, they are the go-to bedding plants for small- or large-scale plantings. Their attractive, contrasting foliage colours, from deep green to burgundy, also give them added value.

Over the past five years, there has been an increased emphasis on flower size. Recently, both the Whopper and the Mega Watt series have introduced significantly larger flowers, making them truly stunning plants. The Benary Seed Company has hit a home run with a new series called Mega Cool. Available in a wide range of colours, from pink and scarlet to rose and white, the flowers are so large that they no longer need companion plants to help them make a statement. I was blown away with the appearance of each container and its impact.

I know they are tender plants, but Spanish or stoechas lavender will flower all summer and is a wonderful pollinator plant. New from Greenfuse Botanicals is a great lavender series called Lavandula stoechas Lavish. This breeding breakthrough has developed a compound flower head that produces an amazing number of bracts that make each plant look huge and fluffy. Available in pink and purple, they are among the earliest lavenders to flower and will continue doing so all summer. They grow only 12 to 18 inches (30-45 cm) tall, making them ideal for both containers and garden beds.

For something quite unusual, there was a new series of butterfly bushes that were bred for hanging baskets and container growing. Both Buddleia Leah from Greenfuse and Buddleia Baby Buzz from Plant Haven grow only about 15 to 18 inches (38-45 cm) with large flower spikes that spill nicely over a basket. They come in several colours, from pink and blue to a reddish shade, purple, and white and they flower all summer long. Hardy to zone 5, they will survive nicely with a little winter protection. Just imagine a beautiful butterfly and hummingbird surround on your patio.

Scented geraniums have really fallen in popularity over the past few years, but now Westhoff may reverse that trend. They have introduced a miniature series of scented pelargoniums that look fabulous, are long flowering and fit nicely into pots. Of the charming Gemstone series, Kunzite and Garnet have small lavender and lavender-purple flowers that love full sun and perform all summer. Both, I think, will open some new plant opportunities.

We’re all looking for lobelia that can tolerate summer heat and Westhoff has introduced a series called Strata Bluebird, which was thriving and looked spectacular in the hot sun.

Over many years, Pan American has bred numerous new flowers and vegetables, and now they have introduced an annual salvia that has silver stems and foliage. Salvia Lancelot grows about 12-15 inches (30-38 cm) tall and has beautiful tiny blue flowers. It will be a terrific accent or feature plant and will make a welcome addition to any container or flower garden.

These are but a few of the hundreds of new introductions that were uniquely different and fun. There are many more new and exciting varieties to come that I will be sharing over the next few months.

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If your outdoor space is looking a little tired, livening it up is an easy fix with an array of stylish options, including fancy tiles and colourful carpets. You’re limited only by preference, imagination, and budget.

Outdoor Tiles

Not only do outdoor tiles hide boring concrete, they beautify a space with materials such as exotic wood, porcelain, or a blend of wood and recycled plastic.

Structural wood deck pavers are non-flexible, two-foot by two-ft heavy gauge hardwood tiles that are installed on adjustable pedestals, allowing for electrical, lighting or irrigation underneath. These panels can be used on any type of patio, balcony or deck surface, including concrete, and can be removed and replaced without disturbing the entire surface.

The tiles’ grid-like base is stable, so there’s no separation or drift, and the raised base allows for good drainage, says Tony Clarke, manager, B.C. Outdoor Flooring . They’re available in a variety of tones and grains, and the hardwoods used stand up to scratches, rot and bugs.

Clarke says installation can usually be completed in a day, at a cost of $45 per sq. ft, and doesn’t require glue, screws or nails. They do require maintenance, including regular sweeping and damp mopping, along with an annual sealant treatment. “We generally just mop a deck and then oil it with Penofin.” Once it’s dry, in 24 hours, it will protect the wood from the elements.

Interlocking wood deck tiles, installed at $40 to $45 are designed to interlock without grout, glue, screws or nails.

Composite deck tiles, a blend of wood and mostly recycled plastic, feature interlocking squares or rectangles, and cost $25 to $35, installed, usually in a day. They’re also fully suspended off the floor to allow moisture and debris to flow out and away. They’re durable, resist fading, stains, moisture and rot, and are low maintenance, needing only an occasional light wash. Clarke says interlocking deck tiles are mainly used on a completely flat surface, which makes them ideal for condo balconies. They come in a variety of finishes, from faux wood to solid colours, and sizes to create unique patterns.

Porcelain paver tiles can work on just about any deck, or over grass or crushed rock. They’re also virtually indestructible. “They’re three-quarter-inch thick tile made under high heat and high pressure,” says Clarke. “The water absorption is less than .1 per cent. You can soak them in a bathtub for a week, throw them in the snow and they won’t crack, because there’s no water inside to make them crack. The only way to hurt them is to drop something on them.”
In that case, since they’re also supported on pedestals, simply sweeping up the breakage and dropping in a replacement tile should do the trick.

Clarke says porcelain pavers can’t be scratched and are highly resistant to chipping, staining, and fading. “In a couple hundred years they’ll still be there.”

Depending on the space, installation can take anywhere from one to three days at a cost of $25 to $35 per sq. ft, installed. Maintenance requires only an occasional sweep or hose down.

Artificial Grass

Also called synthetic turf, artificial grass is grabbing attention thanks to B.C.’s increasingly hotter temps, annual water restrictions, and the material’s rep for low maintenance. Green year-round, it can be used to lay over balconies, encircle a pool, or cover an entire yard.

“The blades and fibres are made of polyethylene, which is woven into a polyurethane backing,” says Julian Li-Brubacher, co-owner, operations manager at Turf Team Landscaping . “It’s essentially an outdoor plastic carpet.”

Li-Brubacher says modern materials, however, look a bit more authentic. “Today there are all different shapes of the strands. Some can have a V shape or W shape to give more texture. They have different colours mixed in the same turf as well, and, most importantly, there’s an added dash layer (a thin layer of crushed rock or stone dust that gives a smooth surface and helps with drainage). Just like a layer of dead grass in a real lawn, there’s also shorter, curly fibres to make it look more realistic.”

Li-Brubacher says Turf Team also offers a “barefoot turf,” especially good for kids. “It’s a thicker curly turf, almost like a sponge, so it’s really comfortable to walk on barefooted.”

For dogs, special infills, including silica sand and envirofill, have microbial properties for a cleaner, more sanitary surface you can simply hose down. Li-Brubacher says the turf backing is punctured with little holes in every foot, which he says drains better than grass. “People with dogs really like it, especially if you have a high-energy dog doing laps around your yard. With wet grass, it will turn into a muddy racetrack. Artificial turf eliminates that.”
Installation over a 300-sq.-ft area takes a couple of days and costs $14 to $18 per sq. ft, depending on whether the job requires a full tear-out, base prep, installation, infill and seam gluing.

Maintenance involves regular blowing or vacuuming off leaves to discourage weeds, and a mild soap and water solution to wash off any oil or grease. For in-depth cleaning, the company offers “power-brooming” and sanitizing with a special pressure washer once or twice a year to rid it of dirt and debris and to re-fluff the blades. If well-maintained, Li-Brubacher says the turf can last at least 20 years.

While there has been concern about adverse health effects, a review by Vancouver Coastal Health into artificial turf used in sports fields found there has been “no peer reviewed clinical study that has concluded synthetic turf fields cause an increase in cancer or other negative human health impacts.”

Li-Brubacher acknowledges that the production of artificial grass is not entirely eco-friendly because of the large amounts of plastic used, and the current lack of suitable recycling facilities.

Rugs and carpets

Probably the quickest and easiest way to add a pop of colour and bring a bit of cosy outside is to lay down an outdoor rug or carpet. Dustin Knapp, general manager at The Wickertree Langley , says there are numerous advantages to a high-quality rug.

“If they get wet, they dry well, they drain well, they breathe well. And that’s really important for outdoor use because if they don’t do those things, they promote mould and mildew.”

He adds that, even though The Wickertree’s rugs come rolled up, they’re so well-designed they will lay flat after a few days, while less-expensive options rarely do. “That’s important because it means they’re not a tripping hazard. And they’re non-slip.”

Knapp says, if well-maintained, a good rug will wear well without fading for 10-plus years. All they require is a good sweep and the occasional wash with a mild detergent solution, hosed off and left to dry. Come winter, while many people leave them out, he recommends bringing them in to give your deck or concrete a chance to breathe. Just make sure the rug or carpet is completely dry, roll it up and store it standing upright.

He notes that, while new colours and patterns emerge every year, neutral, solid tones in charcoal, grey, chocolate brown, and navy blue sell the best because they complement just about any space, furniture or home siding.

The Wickertree’s carpets and rugs range in price from $399 for smaller styles to $599 for larger options.

“These are an investment in quality, they’re not something you have to replace in two years, so they’re not going into the landfill any time soon.”

In fact, he says smaller-sized rugs are big sellers. “They become more of an area rug. Sometimes people think they need a really big carpet or rug to cover everything on their deck and that’s not necessary. You want to see your rug and enjoy it. But if it’s tucked under your furniture, it’s kind of wasted.”

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

1715 Berkley Rd., North Vancouver

Type: Four-bedroom, three-bathroom detached

Size: 2,514 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,941,000

Listed for: $2,150,000

Sold for: $2,050,000

Sold on: April 8

Days on market in this listing: Six

Listing agent: Jason Kim at Sutton Group — 1st West Realty

Buyers agent: Adam Chahl PREC at Oakwyn Realty

The big sell: North Vancouver’s family-oriented district of Blueridge is the location for this four-bedroom-plus-den house that also boasts a spacious 9,447-square-foot flat lot. Built in 1968, the home has a versatile layout that could accommodate multi-generational living or provide mortgage-helping opportunities thanks to a ground-level one-bedroom suite complete with separate entrance. The upper floor contains three bedrooms alongside the main living area. A number of updates are found throughout the home including the installation of radiant heat downstairs as well as in the primary bedroom, upgraded kitchen appliances, and two gas fireplaces. There is plenty of outdoor space with a wraparound deck on the upper floor, and a patio that spans the width of the home. Schools, and recreation facilities (including the Ron Andrews Community Recreation Centre) are all nearby, as are plenty of hiking trails.

PH612 — 311 East 6th Ave., Vancouver

Type: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment

Size: 750 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $975,000

Listed for: $999,800

Sold for: $1,000,000

Sold on: May 12

Days on market in this listing: Seven

Listing agent: Danny Chow PREC and Salina Kai PREC at Rennie & Associates Realty

Buyers agent: Adina Dragasanu PREC at Oakwyn Realty

The big sell: Tipping the scales at the $1,000,000 mark is the sale of this two-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse in Mount Pleasant’s Wohlsein building. Described on MLS as an “outdoor city oasis”, the home delivers with an enviable 630-square-foot private rooftop deck that offers 360-degree city and mountain views. Inside, the floor plan provides non-adjacent bedrooms, nine-foot-high ceilings, laminate floors, a well-equipped kitchen with Bertazzoni and Blomberg appliances, bar seating and quartz countertops. The Wohlsein was built in 2017 with a number of amenities for residents such as a fitness room, lounge, and workshop, and a location with craft breweries, eateries, a community centre, parks, and upcoming SkyTrain stations forming part of the Broadway Subway Project all nearby. The unit comes with one parking space (which is EV ready), a locker, bike storage, and a monthly maintenance fee of $457.39.

166 — 1290 Mitchell St., Coquitlam

Type: Three-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse

Size: 1,604 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $1,204,000

Listed for: $1,178,800

Sold for: $1,160,000

Sold on: April 25

Days on market in this listing: 23

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

Buyers agent: Giuliano Vargas PREC at ReMax City Realty

The big sell: Townline built their Whistler-inspired townhouse community of Forester on Coquitlam’s Burke Mountain in 2021 with distinctive gable, stone and wood detailing. The homes have exclusive access to the Canopy Club, a premium amenity space with an outdoor swimming pool, yoga room, gym, workspace, and lounge. This particular home has an end-unit position and sits next to protected greenbelt. It provides more than 1,600 square feet of living space divided over three levels with all three bedrooms upstairs, the reception rooms on the main floor, and a mud room and an integrated double garage on the ground floor. The bright kitchen has white Shaker-style cabinets, quartz counters, stainless-steel KitchenAid appliances, and a generous-sized island with plenty of built-in storage, while the living/dining area has contemporary-style lighting and access to a rear deck. The home’s monthly maintenance fee is $357.62, and pets and rentals are permitted.

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

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

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What happens when a new mom can’t find a bath towel worthy enough for her newborn baby’s soft skin?

For one Vancouver-based entrepreneur, the disappointment she felt with the towels and shawls after the birth of her first child led to the creation of luxury textiles brand Droplet Home Goods .

We caught up with founder and owner Aleeza Khan Bradner to find out more.  

Q: For anyone not familiar with the brand, what is Droplet Home Goods?

Droplet is about feeling good. It’s about everyday coziness. It’s about caring what you use in your home and your life, for you and your loved ones. And it’s about bringing joy to those everyday moments.

We are a Canadian, BIPOC woman owned home goods brand, known for our plush soft towels and cosy blankets. We’ve been around for over six years and have partnered with Goop, Jillian Harris and The August Diaries.

Q: How has the brand evolved since 2019?

While we try to keep the product line intentionally small and neutral, we’ve expanded as needs and creativity have allowed. We were born from motherhood and the journey that took me on, and have now evolved to give space to my love of textiles. To me, they hold history, emotion, and evoke memories. What started as wanting a clean, organic towel to wrap my son in has taken me on a journey of discovery — textiles have always brought me joy and comfort.

Q: What sets it apart?

We keep the product line small and intentional. We care deeply about where our goods come from, a clean and fair supply chain, and ensuring we give you the best product possible. I run Droplet solo while juggling the joys of motherhood and entrepreneurship and give my all to them both.

Q: What can you share about new products to come?

We have a really exciting new, limited edition product that just dropped! We’ve partnered with the amazing and hilarious Breanne Allarie on a fun, cosy and unique PINK robe — super soft, with a secret embroidered daily mantra on the inside — perfect for lounging around, and kitchen dance parties of course.

Q: Is there a customer favourite, and why does it resonate?

It’s always the original blanket. Honestly you can’t go wrong with it and it’s never been returned. It’s super soft and gets softer as you wash it, it’s big enough to share but lightweight enough to keep it to yourself and not get stuffy, and it’s available in two neutral colours to go in any home. I have the original sample in my home from seven years ago and it’s still perfect.

Q: What is the price range?

There’s a huge range — from our $20 wash cloths and $65 Turkish towels, all the way up to our $189 blankets and towel sets that start from $165.

Q: Where can people find your products?

On our website , and we’re also available in a selection of curated stores.

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In the heart of New Westminster, an innovative building has surfaced. Təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre is much more than just a swimming pool.

“It’s the largest capital building project the City of New Westminster have ever delivered,” says Paul Fast, principal at HCMA Architecture + Design, who led the design on this project.

Set between Queen’s Park, the Justice Institute, and the city’s firehall, təməsew̓txʷ occupies a central position in New West, both geographically and symbolically. It replaces two aging legacy facilities from the 1960s: the Canada Games Pool and Centennial Community Centre.

Pools age quicker than most buildings, because they’re very energy intensive, and the needs of the surrounding community have also changed over the years, says Fast.

Something for everyone

Təməsew̓txʷ reflects a shift in thinking — from elite athletic training to inclusive community wellness. The old facility had a 50-metre cold water pool, which wasn’t ideal for young kids or people who aren’t competitive swimmers, says Fast.

In contrast to this, the new facility includes a leisure pool, sauna and steam rooms, hot pools for kids and adults, and generous space for socializing.

“The city leveraged this building as a way to bring all the residents together. Something of a social activator and a connector, with the recreation programming on top of that,” says Fast.

A café space is planned, and the surrounding site now includes a rain garden and park that traces the memory of Glenbrook Ravine — a natural waterway erased during the city’s colonial development.

That ravine was backfilled and paved over, says Fast. With this redesign, they couldn’t excavate it, but preserved its alignment and turned it into a public greenway. They’ve rotated the building to face this greenway, instead of the street, he says.

A name with roots

The facility’s Indigenous name is təməsew̓txʷ, which is the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word for “sea otter house”, and was gifted through collaboration with local elders and reflects both playfulness and connection to water, says Fast.

“The sea otter once thrived along the Fraser River, and this building sits right at the headwaters of the former ravine, so the name ties the place back to something much older, both ecologically and culturally,” he says.

Using design to draw people in

From the outset, HCMA was tasked with extensive community engagement, says Fast. Their biggest breakthrough came when we heard from people who weren’t using the existing facility, and that’s what shaped the project. These people included newcomers to Canada, young families, and teenagers.

Young people don’t always want structured programs, so they created more casual, social spaces, says Fast. They want to encourage people to shoot hoops with friends, or just hang out.

Built for a new climate

Təməsew̓txʷ is one of Canada’s first all-electric pool facilities, and the first to be zero-carbon. The filtration system, imported from Europe, uses drum filters rather than sand. They don’t rely on chlorine as heavily, and people have commented that it doesn’t “smell like a pool,” says Fast.

To make it possible, the city and design team worked with the Canada Green Building Council and even helped adjust BC’s Health Act to accommodate the innovation.

Architecture as common ground

Fast recalls a moment that captures what təməsew̓txʷ was always meant to be.

“We’d just won a national design award, and the city held a media event in the atrium,” he says.

“We’d just won a international design award, and the city held a media event in the atrium,” he says.

“TV cameras were rolling. The mayor was there. And this man came through the door — clearly going through something in life — and asked the mayor for a toonie, so he could pay the entrance fee and take a shower.”

The mayor gave it to him without hesitation, says Fast.

“For me, it was confirmation that buildings can break down barriers.”

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