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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

614 East 14th Ave., Vancouver

Type: Five-bedroom, three-bathroom detached

Size: 2,228 square feet

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

Listed for: $1,720,000

Sold for: $1,850,000

Sold on: Oct. 24

Days on market in this listing: Seven

Listing agent: Adam Pospischil at Engel & Volkers Vancouver

Buyers agent: Michele Collins at Royal LePage Sussex

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

801 — 651 Nootka Way, Port Moody

Type: Two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment

Size: 891 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $699,000

Listed for: $739,900

Sold for: $730,000

Sold on: October 20

Days on market in this listing: 58

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

Buyers agent: Kyle Rademaker at Royal LePage Sterling Realty

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

2525 West 7th Ave., Vancouver

Type: Three-bedroom, four-bathroom half duplex

Size: 1,531 square feet

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

Listed for: $1,725,000

Sold for: $1,855,000

Sold on: Nov. 14

Days on market in this listing: Four

Listing agent: Jessica Chen PREC at Oakwyn Realty

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What’s inside

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the neighbourhood

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

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

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

Location: 184 Kinsey Drive, Anmore

Listed for: $7,299,000

Year built: 2022

Type: Five bedrooms, eight bathrooms

Size: 8,434 sq ft

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2002 – 1515 Homer Mews, Vancouver

Type: Three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment

Size: 2,673 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $5,420,000

Listed for: $5,988,000

Sold for: $5,888,000

Sold on: Oct. 21

Days on market in this listing: 23

Listing agent: Karim Virani at Virani Real Estate Advisors

Buyers agent: Deanna Lawrence PREC at Oakwyn Realty

The big sell: With an internal floor plan in excess of 2,600 square feet plus nearly 500 square feet of terraces with marina, city skyline and mountain views, this three-bedroom condo not only boasts a layout larger than many detached homes, but a sub-penthouse position to boot in Yaletown’s prestigious King’s Landing tower. Inside, highlights abound with marble-accent bathrooms, an impressive primary bedroom wing, hardwood floors throughout, Kohler and Grohe fixtures, high-end appliances including a Viking gas range, a separate pantry, a marble gas fireplace, 10-foot-high ceilings, wraparound windows, and walk-in closets outfitted with bespoke organizers. A private two-car garage and storage room are also included. Residents enjoy resort-style amenities with a gym, swimming pool, sauna, billiard room, theatre, and guest suites. The unit’s monthly maintenance fee is $3,156.24.

6311 Coltsfoot Dr., Richmond

Type: Five-bedroom, six-bathroom detached

Size: 3,242 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $3,042,000

Listed for: $3,688,000

Sold for: $3,428,000

Sold on: Oct. 3

Days on market in this listing: 57

Listing agent: Shafik Ladha PREC and Winnie Chen at ReMax Westcoast

Buyers agent: Sam Chen PREC and Benny Wong at Nu Stream Realty

The big sell: This 2021 custom-built residence sits on a 6,600-square-foot corner lot in Richmond’s Riverdale district within walking distance to parks, schools and shopping. It showcases premium materials and craftsmanship with a pillared entryway, soaring 16-foot-high ceilings complemented by double-height windows, an Italian marble-clad fireplace, a chef’s kitchen with integrated premium appliances including a wine fridge, marble countertops, and a well-equipped wok kitchen, a luxury media room, and bi-fold doors that open to a covered patio complete with an outdoor kitchen, and an adjacent putting green. The attention to detail continues upstairs with skylights, and four ensuited bedrooms including a primary bedroom with a sundeck, and a spa-like ensuite bathroom with a steam/rain shower. A legal one-bedroom suite, and a three-car garage with an electric vehicle plug-in complete the picture.

473 Carlsen Pl., Port Moody

Type: Three-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse

Size: 1,790 square feet

B.C. Assessment: $920,000

Listed for: $895,000

Sold for: $885,000

Sold on: Nov. 7

Days on market in this listing: 15

Listing agent: Ali Kaywan PREC at Oakwyn Realty

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

The big sell: This renovated townhome is located in Port Moody’s North Shore district and forms part of the city’s Eagle Point complex. Built in 1979, the townhouse community features an outdoor swimming pool, a sauna/steam room, a garden, and a club house for residents’ use. This three-level home has had new floors, baseboards, windows and doors installed, as well as fresh paintwork with neutral colour tones, and updated bathrooms and kitchen countertops. All three bedrooms are located on the top floor and the listing agent reports that there is the potential to use the recreation room on the ground floor as a fourth bedroom. A single-car garage also resides on the lower floor and owners have the ability to park an additional vehicle in stalls allocated throughout the complex. This unit’s monthly maintenance fee is $561.06, 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

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

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A change is occurring in home decor, and it shows an increasing desire for spaces that feel more layered, unique and personal, says Jennifer Scott, of A Good Chick to Know . She really is when it comes to vintage finds for your home.

There is increasing movement away from showroom-perfect homes, towards those that tell stories. Homes that have vintage decor but don’t seem pinned to one decade or look.

“While people often refer to ‘vintage’ as something from a specific decade, I think the term has grown to include pieces that are pre-loved or sourced second hand, regardless of their origin era,” says Scott.

For her, ‘vintage’ signifies something that has a past and a story to tell … a piece that has seen a life before it found its way to her.

Go for story over style rules

Younger homeowners and renters are leaning into vintage with real enthusiasm, says Scott.

“Especially with younger clients, the opportunity for authentic expression is paramount,” she says. “We’ve seen previous generations tend to value and commit to a specific esthetic or style as a whole within their decor, but the approach for the next generation is all about connecting to the pieces they choose and using the unique elements of a vintage find to tell their own style story.”

Rather than building a room around a prescribed look, Scott describes her role as that of a curator.

Being an esthetic storyteller is about achieving beauty through blending materials and styles to create a unique space that is reflective of and driven by each client’s personality, says Scott.

The rise of vintage is tied to values For Gen Z in particular, second-hand culture feels both ethical and expressive.

“The social and economic tendencies of Gen Z are definitely a driving factor in their affinity for vintage interiors. As a generation that values sustainability and financial stability, alongside diversity and individuality in their self-expression, they naturally lean into more unique spaces within which to spend their time,” she says.

“The value they place on second-hand pieces has allowed a shift toward interesting, curated vintage-forward interiors becoming celebrated and more mainstream.”

Keeping it fresh at home

One of the biggest fears homeowners have is that vintage items will make their homes feel a bit kitsch. Scott’s advice is practical and reassuring.

“When working with residential spaces, I usually tend to use contemporary pieces for the larger purchases, like the sofa, and layer in vintage treasures within the accessories and smaller furnishings,” she says.

Rugs, lighting, artwork and chairs are favourite entry points.

“Opting for smaller ways to bring in pre-loved pieces allows the space to remain feeling fresh and modern, but still dance with the idea of eclectic.”

If there is one rule Scott returns to, it is variety.

“The key factor to successfully curating vintage pieces cohesively into a space is to maintain diversity within the eras introduced,” she says. “Don’t get stuck within just one esthetic.”

She encourages homeowners to trust their instincts.

“The magic is in the mix: lean in to pieces that make you feel something. Don’t be afraid to introduce a variety of styles … your home is an extension of you and should tell a story of who you are and what you love,” she says.

There are clear differences in how vintage is used privately versus publicly. “Lifestyle spaces often have a greater creative freedom to take risks and make bold statements because pieces commonly are present in public spaces for a set term,” Scott explains.

Scale also plays a role, with hospitality spaces better suited to large statement pieces.

“Styling with vintage in dwelling spaces becomes less about an initial wow-factor type of statement, and more about decor that offers a lasting impression for people who experience the space daily,” she says.

How to hunt for vintage pieces and where to start

Finding the right piece takes patience, says Scott. There is no one ‘go-to’ that guarantees a treasure, she says.

Her sourcing spans online dealers, specialty boutiques, thrift stores, flea markets and Marketplace, but estate sales top her list.

“The absolute gems that can be found are unparalleled.”

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Lakefront living is not rare in B.C. There are numerous neighbourhoods scattered around lakes in places like the Okanagan, Fraser Valley, the Shuswap and Vancouver Island. But while those homeowners enjoy the views and activities on those lakes, they don’t actually own them. In an exclusive area of Langley they do, which is rare.

“Murchie Lake is private,” says Jonathan Turner, one of the realtors representing the listing in the Campbell Valley district of the city. “Six houses along the lakefront own everything in front of them: the portion that they can see, which extends beyond the lake on the other side, the shoreline around the other side of the lake and into the forest.”

At over 8,000 square feet, this house is the biggest and comes with the largest piece of the lake, he says.

And because the lake is private, there are no rules or restrictions — other than courtesy to your neighbours — around boating or jet skiing. So, you can buzz the waters in a motorboat or hoist a sail and float in solitude on a warm summer day. Come winter, if it’s cold enough, homeowners strap on their skates and glide around their own private rink. Some pack their sticks for a rousing game of ice hockey.

Besides the lake, this is Langley, which means horse country. “All the neighbours have horses,” says Turner. This home’s owners do not currently keep them but there’s a barn at the back of the six-acre property with two stalls to house them, along with a chicken coop. A raised veggie garden is primed to round out your meals. “There’s also a pretty good-sized pond in the backyard which could be home for koi fish,” says co-realtor Natalie Sheck.

What’s inside

Floor-to-ceiling windows capture panoramic views of the lake from every floor, and just about every room. Six bedrooms and six bathrooms sprawl over the 8,072 square feet, including a luxurious ensuite spa with soaker tub and extra-large rain shower in the main-floor primary bedroom.

The open floor plan’s hardwood flooring extends to the vaulted ceilings over the main living area and dining room, which melds with the wood beams and stonework pillars in the gourmet chef’s kitchen. Granite countertops, Thermador Professional Series 6 gas range, integrated Thermador refrigerator, as well as a separate spice kitchen with Samsung gas range and Bosch dishwasher complete the cook rooms.

The lower floor encompasses a gym, infrared sauna, games room, wet bar, as well as a stone and brick wine cellar.

Expansive patios, a barbecue terrace and a large rooftop deck are perfect for lakeside entertaining and al fresco dining.

The home is heated via four fireplaces — three natural gas and one wood-burning — geothermal and forced air. Some rooms have radiant heating. There’s even a small gas fireplace tucked into the shelving of the executive office to add warmth and coziness.

A detached 2,200 square-foot, two-storey coach house features two bedrooms and two bathrooms as well as kitchen on the upper floor, while the main floor features a large living space, kitchen, bathroom and laundry room. “The downstairs part could be used as a workshop or a studio. It could also be rented out, used as an in-law suite or a guest house,” says Sheck.

In the neighbourhood

In addition to the lake, the property and neighbourhood are surrounded by mature trees and lush gardens. Nearby Campbell Valley Regional Park encompasses a vast network of trails for walking, birdwatching and horseback riding, as well as a huge equestrian centre and speedway.

Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club is also nearby, as are elementary and secondary schools, public and private. The area is also renowned for its wineries, many of them with their own boutique bistros.

The realtors note that while there is nothing within walking distance, grocery stores, restaurants and shops are a 10-minute drive away, and White Rock is 20 minutes away. “You feel like you’re in the suburbs but you’re not really that far away from the city,” says Turner.

Location: 23455 8th Avenue, Langley

Listed for: $4,200,000

Year built: 2008

Type: Six bedrooms, six bathrooms

Size: 8,072 sq ft

Realtor: Listed by Jonathan Turner and Natalie Sheck, RE/MAX Crest Realty

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When it comes to paint, white is rarely just white. Anyone who has stood in a paint store staring at sample cards knows this. Some whites glow, others feel cold and clinical, and some seem buttery soft and warm.

Pantone’s colour of the year for 2026, Cloud Dancer, is a shade of white that invites us to slow down. An interesting approach given it’s the beginning of a new year.

Like a blank canvas, Cloud Dancer signifies our desire for a fresh start, says Laurie Pressman, Pantone Color Institute vice-president.

“Peeling away layers of outmoded thinking, we open the door to new approaches,” she says.

After years of maximalism, statement colours and visual noise in home decor, Cloud Dancer suggests a quieter confidence and invitation to rest, says Pressman.

For interior designer Jocelyn Ross, of JRstudioworks , white is not a trend but a foundation.

She says she always starts with white because it offers the perfect backdrop for layered interiors and the art on the walls. Ross tends towards warmer whites, not yellow, but never stark.

Cloud Dancer sits slightly outside her personal comfort zone, being very clean and crisp, but she can see why it works in certain settings.

“If I were starting with Cloud Dancer, I would soften it with woods and textiles,” says Ross.

Choosing white as a defining colour surprised some in the design world.

“Committing to a white is a bold move. Interestingly, I often have to convince clients to go all white because their initial reaction is that it will feel cold or sterile.”

That fear often fades once the space comes together, she says. “When white is done properly with the right tone, texture and layering, it feels calm, intentional and anything but cold. While Cloud Dancer is not the white I would typically reach for, the thinking behind the choice makes sense. It reflects a desire for clarity and restraint rather than a big statement.”

Cloud Dancer works best as a foundational colour, says Ross: “On walls, millwork, and architectural elements where you want a clean backdrop that allows art, furniture and materials to take centre stage.”

As Cloud Dancer sits on the cooler side, it needs warmth, which Ross says she would achieve by layering wood, stone, textiles, and lighting to avoid feeling too stark.

Her advice for homeowners is simple and practical. “Whites change dramatically depending on light, and with cooler whites, the margin for error is even smaller. If it starts to feel flat or cold, it probably is.”

Property stylist Red Barrinuevo comes at Cloud Dancer from a different angle, shaped by staging homes to appeal quickly and emotionally.

“In my opinion, Cloud Dancer feels a little safe and predictable, almost like your first apartment colour,” says Barrinuevo. “It’s quite basic and not very forgiving; with the wrong finish, it can highlight wall imperfections and flaws rather than soften them.”

Still, Barrinuevo sees opportunity in its neutrality.

“I see this as an open invitation to explore and welcome a broader palette moving into 2026,” he says.

Like Ross, Barrinuevo sees Cloud Dancer working best layered with other colours, materials and textures: “As a designer who loves colours, I see it working best when it’s paired with richer, bolder colours like plum or aubergine, rather than standing on its own. Layering it with texture is key,” says Barrinuevo. “Think warm woods, tactile fabrics, stone and earthy finishes to add depth and balance.”

Neutral palettes are really resonating right now because people want their spaces to feel good, not just look good. “They create a sense of calm, balance and comfort. Something a lot of us are craving in everyday life,” he says.

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Wandering through cobbled lanes in Italian villages, getting lost in Istanbul and exploring the history of England’s manor houses are just a few of the travel experiences B.C.-based interior designers have merged with their own talents and insights to impact their creative decisions back home.

Two award-winning B.C. interior designers, Ami McKay founder of Pure Design , a business that includes a full-service interior design studio, retail shoppe and construction management firm; and Jim Toy, principal of False Creek Design Group and architecture firm Ratio , share their experiences and how encounters with different cultures, climates and colour palettes influence their work and perspectives.

Toy says travel has two major impacts on his work.

“It’s habit breaking. We’re so used to thinking a certain way and when you go to a setting that isn’t in your normal day to day experience, it will invigorate and force you to pause and rethink convention,” he says.

Secondly, the more one travels the more the topic of design becomes borderless, he adds.

“For me, it’s really about spotting universal needs. When you talk about shelter or belonging, community belonging and esthetics or beauty, it’s global. So, it’s everywhere in different iterations, but those basic human needs are pretty firmly entrenched everywhere. And once that’s in your field of thought, then the things that you spot will influence you in subtle ways as opposed to direct duplication in terms of design,” says Toy.

Travel has always been at the heart of McKay’s creative process . She says drawing inspiration from cultures, materials and lifestyles she encounters firsthand shapes her esthetic and approach to interior design and ensures she stays ahead of trends rather than follow them.

McKay recently returned from leading a design tour in the south of Italy.

“Every time I go to Italy — or anywhere in the world — I get so inspired and I bring it back,” she says adding she is always looking for unique work created by local artisans.

“I get so excited when I see somebody making something with love, seeing them put their energy and their life force into whatever it is that they’re creating. It’s pretty hard not to get excited about it,” says McKay.

During the tour, in addition to visiting many small villages in Apulia (Puglia), she explored Ostuni, the hilltop town known as ‘the White City,’ where all the buildings in the historic town centre are whitewashed.

In the Basilicata region, the group spent unforgettable days inside the ancient cave dwellings of the Sassi di Matera, one of the world’s oldest continuously occupied settlements and a UNESCO World Heritage site. McKay says the experience was a living reminder of how history and modern design can coexist in the most unexpected ways.

Travel always sharpens the senses and during this Italian journey McKay found inspiration everywhere and noted early indicators of emerging trends. In couture and homes, she spotted monochrome tones in rich layered shades of almond, oat, stone and tobacco while cashmere upholstery, Italian-made bouclé sofas, raw silk drapery and matte lime-plaster walls grabbed her attention.

“Local Italian designers are honouring place by reinventing history. Apulian stone carved into fluid sculptural tables, Sardinian textiles stretched as architectural panels and Venetian glass recast in bold, brutalist forms,” she recalls, also noting metals with depth — like pewter and smoked nickel — are seen in fashion (as accessories) and in homes paired with stone, parchment, walnut and chalky plaster.

While Spain and South America top his list of favourite destinations Toy has travelled extensively and oftentimes translates experiences into his work.

A visit to the Greek isles demonstrated just how much elements like climate, light and patterns influence design.

“Travelling to the Greek islands, you immediately see how the sun can render things so brilliantly light. And you start to think, ‘Well, how can I translate that into something in a West Coast context?’”

Getting lost in Istanbul and not being able to communicate in the local language started him thinking about design and how people move through spaces. That experience in the unfamiliar environment in Turkey’s largest city influenced his design of a wayfinding system for a large corporate office.

As part of his research for the interior design of Gryphon House , a luxury five-storey mixed-use development in Kerrisdale, Toy visited several neighbourhoods in London.

“The whole idea of a manor house was to be the beacon in a community. That was something that was subliminally captured in the design of the building and certainly it hearkened back to a time where there was a lot more elegance to interiors and I think that’s been captured in the interiors of Gryphon House,” he says.

Toy also recalls that a winery in B.C’s North Thompson Valley was influenced by visits to wine regions in Australia.

“When I realized the design of the winery was coinciding with [an already planned] trip to Australia I immediately changed the itinerary to include some of the major wine regions, particularly in South Australia,” he says. “It took me outside of the realm of design to encompass landscape and agriculture and what those two aspects could do to the winery building itself, not to mention the interior because we were inspired by the fact that the winery in B.C. was a former cattle ranch.”

Toy says he started seeing what sort of influences in Australia — related to ranching — also applied to a winery. “That turned into sheltering overhangs on the building, embracing the landscape so that the windows were oriented to everything around so that it became not an insular thing, but quite literally an object in the landscape,” he says.

Reflecting on her Italian adventure McKay says it reinforced that Europe, and Italy especially, remains a constant visual inspiration source for her and her interior-design direction .

“What always stands out for me is the deep commitment to timeless materiality, handcrafted details, and a slower, more deliberate rhythm of living, and that ethos is exactly what I’m excited to continue channelling into my designs and hopefully we will be able to add to our very own renovation in Italy,” says McKay, who hopes to one day buy a home in the country.

In addition to sourcing for her shoppe in North Vancouver where she curates finds from around the globe, unsurprisingly, Italian design has also found its way into her home.

“I already have limewashed walls, Italian plaster, an over grouted stone fireplace and layers of artisan-made decor throughout my home, so what’s next will probably be a carved limestone sink, definitely something that feels storied and grounded. I love pieces that carry a sense of place and time,” she says “I’m always scouring antique markets and shops on every trip, bringing home treasures along the way. I will always appreciate the Italian way of letting materials age beautifully.”

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In the darkest, coldest time of year, with the holidays over and the evening light displays disappearing, we can all use a little pick-me-up. For the gardening community, it’s a seed catalogue.

Paging through the vegetable sections, looking at all the new and heritage varieties of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, and thinking about where you can fit in all the new ones … going through the annuals, with so many vibrant colours, and imagining where you can fit them into your containers and baskets … is one of the most uplifting winter experiences I can think of. You can almost taste the various herbs, like thyme, sage and coriander or cilantro, as you page through the catalogue. Each section promises meaningful additions to which we can look forward.

Garden stores are already receiving racks of seeds and folks are all ready for a good, long browse. The best thing is, you can pick up your seeds now and store them until you are safe to get them started and planted out. It’s also the best time to pick up those varieties that are often in short supply, so you’ll have your favourites for your garden and containers.

The seed business, worldwide, is expanding because seeds are the least expensive way of either growing your own food or adding colour to your home garden. When you think about it, it’s pretty amazing what a tiny speck of a seed can produce in a relatively short period of time. As with all things to do with gardening, a little strategic planning in your planting, and the experience you gain, go a long way to achieving success.

I love that the garden media folks in the U.S. who track trends in gardening and have designated 2026 as “The Year of Lemonading”. They have characterized it as “transforming setbacks into opportunities through creativity, mindfulness, and a sense of joy.” It simply means turning the experience of gardening into more joyful learning and breaking free from being “wrong.” Treat gardening “fails” as experiments, laughing at it, and getting on with it in a positive frame of mind.

Learning to have success with seeds is just that. After 50-plus years of growing plants from seed, and even when everything has supposedly been done just the way it should be, somehow something messes up. Get over it, learn from it and do it again, but be more mindful of how you achieve success, in a positive way, and have a chuckle over it.

The most important lesson seeds can teach us is a sense of timing. Weather is fickle, and if you are planning for an early start, be extra cautious. It’s always better to be a bit later than too early when starting seeds. Most seed catalogues will give you approximate seeding dates, so use them.

It’s also critical to keep a diary or journal of when and how you start everything you seed. When next year comes around, it will be invaluable information, which you will constantly be updating.

Even though spring weather can be fickle, every day we get more daylight and the soil becomes warmer. The silver bullet is having a cold frame or somewhere you can place your sprouted seedlings to acclimatize them, allowing them to toughen up without stretching. Small greenhouse structures, covered with poly are ideal, even up on your decks. You will need to have a small electric heather for cool evenings, but young seedlings can stay in there for weeks until the ground is warm enough to set them out.

Onions are a prime example; large Spanish-type type onions, as well as novelty varieties, need an early start to develop their sweetness. We usually seed them in late January to have strong seedlings ready to go out early, but because February and early March weather can be very frosty and cold, we hold them in cold houses for three to four weeks after they have germinated. As a result, the plants are much stronger and are very resilient when they go out to tolerate light frosts. Early vegetables like lettuce, Swiss chard and all the early brassicas are started in late February and hardened off to go out in mid to late March.

For early colour, pansies and violas are started in early January and hardened off for setting out mid-March. This gives you a sense of timing for some of the earlier starts.

Direct seeding for bigger, cold hardy, vegetables like peas, Broad beans, and radishes can usually start when we get consistent daytime temperatures of 10°C.

Raised beds and garden areas that are more protected from cooler prevailing winds will allow you an earlier start, too, since raised beds will generally be 4-8°C warmer than garden bed soil.

As for indoor seeding, there are a few basics: Use cell packs of various sizes so you can germinate smaller numbers of seeds at a time, in relation to the size of your garden. We reuse planting trays over and over again by sterilizing with a 10 per cent bleach solution between crops.

A good seed starting mix is also very important. You must have good drainage, but also enough moisture retention to keep the seeds viable.

More and more often, I’m finding that heat mats are almost essential to keep a consistent average temperature for even germination. You will find your percentage of germination will improve dramatically with these mats.

Watering cans with a good nozzle that will provide even watering with smaller openings for more gentle streams is critically important. Always use warm, never cold, water!

To control the height of your seedlings and stop them from stretching, overhead lighting is essential. Keep the light source close to your seeding trays for the best results and leave the lights on 24 hours a day.

Once the seeds have begun to crack and germinate, you need to check them two or three times a day to ensure they have just the right amount of moisture.

Clear plastic overhead domes or covers and important to control both heat and humidity.

Once your seeds have sprouted and true leaves begin to develop, move them to a cold frame with cooler temperatures and good light. Keep them drier with good air circulation, allowing them to toughen and strengthen up. If you see any sign of wilting or “dampening off,” use a mist of garden sulphur or an organic fungicide to protect them.

If you have challenges, re-evaluate your procedures, but don’t blame the seed. The seed we have in Canada has been tested for germination and is some of the best in the world. Most of all, have fun and celebrate your successes with seeds.

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