Western Living May/June 2025

MODERN MAKEOVERS

The team at PlaidFox Studio transformed this Vancouver home into a welcoming, cozy retreat for Mina Wesa and her family

YOUR TAILORED KITCHEN AWAITS

MERIT KITCHENS’ INTRODUCES NEW CABINET AND COLOR COLLECTIONS IN MODERN FINISHES, DESIGNED TO BRING YOUR DREAM SPACE TO LIFE.

Expanding on our extensive collection, Merit Kitchens introduces a new range of durable, high-quality door styles and colors—designed to complement any space. Personalize your cabinetry to suit your unique style and vision.

Peninsula cabinets in the Florenzia Alicante Wine finish showcase the wood’s natural rustic grain.

ALICANTE WINE

FLORENZIA

Crafted from premium oak wood veneer, the Florenzia door front in Lugo Grattas—a deep black-brown hue—adds warmth and sophistication to this living space.

RISING

Inspired by the serene landscapes of Japan, the Rising Collection features door fronts in softly refined hues. Designed for both beauty and durability, they resist fingerprints, scratches, and UV rays—making them a smart, ophisticated choice.

CASTALIA

Discover the Castalia Collection— crafted from 100% recycled and recovered wood materials. Available in a sleek matte or high-gloss finish, this collection blends sustainability with modern luxury. The striking contrast of Black Powder and Carte Blanche in this kitchen creates a timeless, contemporary aesthetic.

Mori Ki

Hana

Kosen

Mesuto

Shin Ki

SECRETS

Designer Kathleen Lin crafts a nautical treehouse built for high-seas adventures. 12 SHOPPING + OPENINGS

Neon lights, balloon-inspired chandeliers and candy-coloured tables—plus fresh shops from Vancouver to Calgary.

FEATURES

ENTERTAINING

52

PLACE SETTING

Ugly fruit, pretty design—Lass Chance turns orchard castoffs into bold ciders in a playful, picture-perfect new tasting room.

54

PACIFIC PLATES

From swordfish to blue-cheese spuds to banana cake that’s peak comfort—these recipes from Shelley Adams serve up West Coast flavours.

Downsizing can feel like an upgrade— especially when it’s a chic, art-filled Coal Harbour townhouse revamped by design duo Falken Reynolds.

EMBRACE

PlaidFox Studio turns a dated Kits duplex into a layered, richly textured beach retreat—global flair meets West Coast cozy.

Edmonton’s Crete Collective is making a splash with sculptural concrete sinks in plenty of bold, playful hues.

18

LIVING COLOUR

Silky, sunny, irresistible—spread on some buttery yellow to brighten your space.

Designer Alykhan Velji flips a stalled reno into a bold, British-inspired Calgary dream home.

60

SAVOUR THE SOLSTICE

Kick off summer with these fresh picnic-ready classics—collard green rolls, salmon pan bagnat and a honey-turmeric cake with pickled berries.

GETAWAYS

GETAWAYS

Grizzlies in Sonora, ancient cedars near Prince George and seaside saunas on Bowen—wild weekend escapes, no passport required.

Splyce Design restores a West Van midcentury home to its breezy, beachside glory.

MOOD BOARD

Vogue, vintage and all that inspires Marrimor’s Tanja Breadner.

New Release

a publication of canada wide media limited

ceo & group publisher Ryan Benn group vice president, publishing & operations Nina Wagner

editorial

editor-in-chief (western living) & vice president, content Anicka Quin

editors-in-chief Darcy Matheson (BCBusiness), Stacey McLachlan (Vancouver magazine) managing editor Dani Wright

assistant editor Kerri Donaldson

wine & spirits editor Neal McLennan

contributing editors Melissa Edwards, Alyssa Hirose, Amanda Ross, Julie Van Rosendaal

editorial interns Anjini Snape, Xiao Qing Wan, Elif Zaimler email mail@westernliving.ca

design

creative director Jenny Reed

art directors Stesha Ho (Vancouver magazine), Edwin Pabellon (BCBusiness)

digital

vice president, digital Darcy Matheson

digital marketing manager Rebekah Ho

sales representation vice president of sales Anna Lee

vice president, custom publishing & agency services Chad Brealey

senior media specialists Brianne Harper, Mira Hershcovitch, Sheri Stubel email sales@canadawide.com

european sales specialist S&R media, Sylvie Durlach tel +33 1 44 18 06 65 email srmedia@club-internet.fr

production/administration

group vice president, education & administration Jane Griffiths group director of operations Devin Steinberg director of circulation Tracy McRitchie manager, hr and administration Fiona Cochrane producer, events & executive assistant to the ceo Hannah Dewar

events & office manager Tessa Bilida

production manager/digital ad coordinator Kim McLane

production associate Natasha Jayawardena

production support technician Ina Bowerbank

customer service Kelly Kalirai

finance

group vice president, finance Conroy Ing, CPA, CMA vice president of finance Sonia Roxburgh, CPA, CGA accounting Terri Mason, Eileen Gajowski

address Suite 130, 4321 Still Creek Drive, Burnaby, B.C. V5C 6S7 tel 604-299-7311 fax 604-299-9188 web westernliving.ca email sales@canadawide.com

Pet Perfect

I recently brought home a snugglebug of a cat from the SPCA, and it always amazes me how these tiny creatures can fill up a space. (I lost my dear love Zoe about a year ago, and the house just hasn’t felt the same without her 18-year-old, geriatric demands for couch naps together.) Georgie is nearly three, and she’s zooming around my place as I write this, periodically breaking to have a snack and ask for a pat (at the same time—she’s a social eater, I’m told, a habit I can very much identify with).

Despite having cats in my life for over 30 years, there’s one puzzle I haven’t quite figured out: the ideal spot for their food and water bowls. It’s challenging to find a place that’s both an appealing lunch spot for them, and out of the way of my feet when I’m moving around the kitchen/living room/wherever else I happen to be testing out as a trip-free zone. (And that’s not to mention the eyesore factor of your typical cat bowl—if anyone has a well-designed one on their radar, let me know about it.)

I bring this up because this issue happens to feature the team behind a Cadboro Bay renovation from a couple of years ago that included integrated dog bowls in the mud room—a genius, thoughtful design that exactly fit the homeowners’ specific needs. Now, Falken Reynolds is at it again with a design for a downsizing woman (“Urban Renewal,” page 22) who still needed space for her motorcycle helmet and boots. (Can I say “hero” for a woman I’ve never met? I’m saying it.)

And every renovation in this issue follows suit, with spaces that are truly made to fit the lives their homeowners lead, whether that’s an urban beach house from PlaidFox Studio that’s a calming space for a pair of doctors and their growing family (page 30), or a renovation rescued by Alykhan Velji Designs when a previous attempt from another team just wasn’t working for the new owners (page 38).

If you’re considering a renovation—or if you, like me, have a new, four-legged family member with very particular eating habits—I hope these designs inspire you to dig deep into what you really need so you can create a space that’s the perfect fit. And if you have any tips for a safety-minded food bowl spot for a very social eater, please send them my way.

Anicka Quin , Editor-in-Chief anicka.quin@westernliving.ca

Follow Anicka on Instagram @aniqua

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Anicka Quin portrait: Evaan Kheraj; styling by Luisa Rino, stylist

Unit 106, 1551 Broadway St., Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 6N9 Office: 604 949 3046

Unit 3, 1010 Yates Street,Victoria BC, V8V 3M6 Office: 250 419 7272 (Enter from Johnson St.)

VANCOUVER

VICTORIA

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Spotlighting the best of architecture and design in Western Canada.

TRADE SECRETS

Designed by KATHLEEN LIN, Kathleen Lin Designs, Vancouver

The Look: Nautical Nook

This treehouse in North Vancouver is nautical-chic, full of whimsy... and a far cry from the ramshackle backyard clubhouses most of us remember from our youth. But interior designer Kathleen Lin couldn’t help but apply her talent for fashioning creative, functional spaces when tasked with building a hideaway for a trio of kids, aged four to nine. The shiplap-lined playspace features real porthole windows, repurposed from boats; salvaged nautical wheels are mounted on the wall and bow-like deck. It’s the ideal spot for afternoons jam-packed with imagination play, or (thanks to bunk beds) a spot to dream about future adventures on the high seas and beyond. All aboard!

Janis Nicolay

Cushion Couture

When Vancouver-based musician Jenn Bojm stumbled across Motif—a purveyor of beautiful striped, sustainable fabrics handwoven by artists in Bangladesh— she put down the mic and turned to her sewing machine. Under her new Landing Objects label, she coverts those fabrics into luxurious throw pillow covers (from $65). @landingobjects

Glass Act

The minimalist blown-glass Lokum coffee tables (starting at $2,955) from designer Sabine Marcelis for Acerbis look like organic Jolly Ranchers—a design as sweet as candy. livingspace.com

Glow On Hay’s neon tubes ($175 each) bring the party vibe home. Hang the glowing rods from above, or lean them up against the wall for a colourful, avant-garde installation. vanspecial.com

Noteworthy

New in stores across the West.

By Stacey McLachlan

Lucky Rock

This collab between Moroso and Kvadrat involved making 3D scans of real stones to find the right shapes for the stackable, rocklike and modular Pebble Rubble seating system (from $34,399). aeonhabitat.com

Sound Off

The Bang and Olufsen Beolab 8 ($3,000) is sound evidence that big audiophile energy can come in small packages. The compact speaker is a surround-sound power house, and an artful tabletop accessory, too. bang-olufsen.com

Hold Me

The curvy, fully upholstered Aril chair from EQ3 (shown here in a rich Fig Mélange, $1,399) is made here in Canada and offers a cushy, comforting embrace thanks to silkfibre support—and a little hug is something we all could use these days, right? eq3.com

Blowing Up

We dare a balloon artist to try to replicate the design of this soft-blown Afloat chandelier (from $6,385), a collaboration between Luca Nichetto and Spanish design brand Lladró. Somehow, the cheerfully colourful porcelain shapes look lighter than air. lightform.ca

Bottle Episode

Sure, a wine fridge is supposed to be for storing your fave bottles... but why not pick one that can show them off, too? And there’s no better way than with the new olive-hued model from True Residential (from $11,000), which can be customized with hardware options to chill that chardonnay in style. winecellardepot.com

Top Table

A solid marble pedestal acts as the base for the asymmetrical Cora side table ($875), an oak-topped, organically shaped side piece that, if you’re feeling a little whimsical, might just remind you of a modernist mushroom. fullhousemodern.com

That’s a Wrap

White towels may offer the essence of a highend hotel... but are they any fun? Slowtide’s bath towels ($55), on the other hand, are made from luxurious, sustainably sourced cotton but come in playful prints like this floral checkerboard Gigi Sandstone pattern—hand towels are available, too. thecoastgoods.ca

Shop Talk

By Stacey McLachlan

RICHMOND, B.C.

Chic Lusso

What started as a design firm in Vancouver has evolved into a full-fledged lifestyle brand, now with its own brick-and-mortar showroom. Find quirky objets d’art (a gold banana statuette!) alongside elegant homewares (like pewter-wrapper Olivia Riegel champagne flutes) and sumptuous furnishings (hello, velvet-wrapped love seats). 12–8411 Bridgeport Rd., chiclusso.shop

CALGARY, AB

Very Very Shop

You may recognize Mera Studio Architects from our list of WL Design 25 winners in the last issue of this magazine. Feel free to congratulate the team in person when you visit the home goods store they operate out of their office, stocked with locally and internationally sourced accessories (travertine book ends from India; wall sculptures from ceramic artist Jessica Sellinger) as well as their own custom pieces, like the Mera Sound sconce. B001–1215 13 St. SE, veryveryshop.com

CALGARY, AB

Silk and Snow

The city’s first standalone Silk and Snow opened this spring: a 3,000-square-foot space stocked with the brand’s Canadian-made bedding. If you’re nervous about buying one of their mattresses online (ethically manufactured with traceable materials), now’s your chance to take the options for a test run (er, test sleep?) in person. Flax linen and percale cotton sheets and duvet covers come in dreamy hues like sage and rosewood. 829 17th Ave. SW, silkandsnow.com

Very Very Shop: Colin Way

CEMENTED IN DESIGN

Edmonton-based Crete Collective is sinking into the world of concrete.

By Dani Wright

Portraits by Aaron Pedersen

INlate 2019, Sam Wilkins and Dallyn Volkman were looking for a change. They both held senior roles in construction at the time, having worked in the industry for a combined 30 years: Wilkins managed a Ramco Foundation Repair while Volkman was superintendent at Integrated Construction. “We were always talking about doing something a little more creative and less construction focused,” says Wilkins. “I’ve always had an interest in design.”

So, they began experimenting with custom concrete work. “Everything from countertops to fireplaces to tables,” Wilkins says. “But as we kept learning our skillset within that industry, we found this gap in Canada of European-inspired concrete sinks.” From there, the future of Crete Collective was set in stone: from the company’s home in Edmonton, the duo—soon to grow to three with the addition of Red Seal journeyman welder Ezra Wilkins, who handles client relations and operations—would create, from concept to manufacturing, sculptural, colourful and strikingly beautiful made-toorder concrete sinks.

The first order of business was knowing what they didn’t want. “Everything [else available] was very bulky, very big,” says Wilkins. “And we knew with the technology of concrete now we could thin everything down even further.”

Take the Lily line of sinks, Crete Collective’s debut design: they’re available round, rectangular or square, with slim, half-inch

Sink Savvy

Co-founder Dallyn Volkman (left) holds the sculptural Geni sink; Ezra Wilkins (far right) brandishes the Lily sink, which was Crete’s debut design.

Concrete Charm (Clockwise from centre) Co-founder Sam Wilkins; the Lily sink in eye-catching cherry red; dual Elle vessel sinks in coral; a mounted Lily sink in royal blue.

vertical walls and a low profile of less than four inches—bringing a modern, minimalist vibe. The smooth vessel looks like it would be just as at home as a pasta bowl on an impeccably decorated table as it is in a powder room. With 35 colour options (ranging from soft mint to bold coral), the sinks easily become the star of the show, and that’s the point. “The [design] side of things was about bringing some level of joy or a spark of happiness into these spaces that we use every single day,” Wilkins explains.

While the dreamy, design-forward sinks are eye-catching, it’s the method and materials at work here that make Crete Collective stand out. The concrete itself is made from only natural materials (like fly ash) and 45 percent of those materials are recycled. Those bold colourways aren’t just a finish, either—the pigments are mixed into a white concrete base, which Wilkins and Volkman played with until they got each tone just right.

Crete Collective isn’t finished experimenting yet: Wilkins and Volkman are aiming to design accessible sinks for those with disabilities. To do this, they’re tapping into the “collective” part of their name, collaborating with local craftspeople, whose specialties they call upon at different points in the process. These talented partners range from model-makers (like the ones who helped shape the fluted, midcentury modern Geni sink) to mould-making prototypers to the welders at Forge 53, who designed the newest addition to Crete Collective’s offerings: distinct and stylish vanity stands with an extra-small footprint— ideal for powder rooms or apartment bathrooms.

While Crete Collective’s sinks are made from start to finish in its Edmonton facility, the three-person manufacturing team is also the distribution crew, and the PR. Crete Collective was at IDS Vancouver in September 2024, and the team’s sinks are now carried in seven showrooms nationwide. “We’re really pumped because everything is where we want it to be now,” says Wilkins, although his experimental brain isn’t done playing just yet. “We’re really happy with the product and our process, but for me I’m ready to go back to the lab and start coming up with new concepts.”

Art Design Nature

Blurring the line between home and gallery, artist designer Sabina Hill’s Live-in Gallery presents her new solo work, Sea Forest Collection. View the artwork in a domestic setting providing context for how it can be displayed and enjoyed.

This unique live-work space includes a private guest suite for those who wish to live with her art in a truly immersive experience.

left: Beaver Diptych

duo low armchair by Fermob in frosted lemon ($2,500), livingspace.com

sundays-company.ca

Butter Yellow

This nostalgic, fresh-churned hue had a moment last year, but it’s back again—and butter than ever. Spread it thick to make a statement or add a few choice pieces for a pop of custardy cheer. A little pat goes a long way with this warm, silky neutral.

By Katie Nanton

Luxembourg

Checkers rug by Sundays in sunshine (from $690),

Stool 60 by Artek in yellow ($595), vanspecial.com

Portable lamp by Simons Maison in yellow ($199), simons.ca

Fresh Butter paint by Benjamin Moore (from $73.99), benjaminmoore.com

Midi locker by Mustard Made in butter ($554), westelm.ca

Everyday Turkish towel by Sunday Dry Goods in yellow ($44), shop.walrushome.com

Honeysuckle candle by Loewe ($345), holtrenfrew.com

Artisan stand mixer by KitchenAid in butter ($544.99), kitchenaid.ca

"We've

CANADIAN

Sue Lewis

"We

ELECTRIC ARTS CANADA

Employee Recognition Awards

Wood Recognition Plaques

Donor Recognition Walls

Eco-friendly Awards and Gifts

Engraved Crystal Trophies

Sandeep Kulkarni

Designer & Firm: Shannon Ggem, Ggem Design Co.

Photographer: Mike P. Kelley

WE SPENT OVER 100 YEARS REVOLUTIONIZING THE KITCHEN

SO YOU CAN SAVOUR EVERY MINUTE YOU SPEND IN IT.

Discover over 100 years of inspiring innovation at Thermador.ca/Innovates

Innovate Like No Other

URBAN

Interactive Design

In the living room, the Love Forever gold-plated steel sculpture by Allan Switzer sits on a white screen that can slide to the left—and a television is hidden in behind. The Seed 02 pendant from Roll and Hill over the dining table is designed by Bec Brittain, and offers a modern take on the traditional crystal chandelier.

RENEWAL

A homeowner downsizes from the suburbs to a modern urban escape in Vancouver’ s Coal Harbour, thanks to the team from Falken Reynolds

By Anicka Quin / Photos by Ema Peter

Personal Collection

courtesy of Paul Masoumi

The mud room (bottom right) houses an eclectic mix of the client’s art, a vintage console from Scott Landon Antiques, a Charlotte Perriand LC8 stool and a Seeing Glass by Sabine Marcelis.

“The intent was to create spaces that feel sophisticated, layered and effortlessly playful all at once.”

Itwasn’t that this homeowner didn’t love her house in the suburbs outside Vancouver— she’d spent years finding the perfect finishes and the right pieces, and designing a comfortable space that was made just for her. But once her son had jetted off to university and she was officially an empty-nester, she could feel the appeal of living in the city: a townhouse that was perfectly positioned on the seawall for weekend strolls, but could just as easily be secured so she could head out of town on more adventures.

The problem was that the 1990s townhome she’d purchased in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour neighbourhood hadn’t been renovated since it was first built. So, she called Kelly Reynolds and Chad Falkenberg of Falken Reynolds into service. “The design brief was to capture all the things the client loved about that previous house,” says Reynolds, “and repackage it into a smaller footprint in an urban setting.”

Gutting a concrete and steel condo is “a discovery process,” says Falkenberg. Despite the constraints of working within the existing infrastructure—transforming an awkward kitchen into one with an island and a more chef-friendly design, for example, and ensuring the existing plumbing would still work—took time and care, but ultimately they were still able to start from scratch, with some of the building infrastructure disguised behind millwork. All the better to host the homeowner’s extensive art collection: “Making sure there was enough wall space to showcase it was a part of the process,” says Falkenberg.

Into the Blue

The

granite counter extends up above the work surface in the kitchen (above), keeping any clutter hidden from those in the nearby dining or living rooms. A meditation and yoga room (right) was created in a small den with views of the North Shore mountains.

Volga Blue

Retreat Zones

In the primary ensuite (left), white glazed ceramic tile and millwork brighten the space by reflecting the natural sunlight from the south facing corner window. A feature wall of aqua hued tile imbues the space with a calming reference to the Burrard Inlet just outside the windows. In the primary bedroom (below), the Adriel Murano glass ceiling light brings a feminine softness to the room.

The lower level is designed to be welcoming and cozy, and yet still bright and open to the green spaces outside. The main living area is adjacent to the entry door that faces the water and the seawall, and so the team created a transition zone so that visitors don’t land straight into the living room. “Instead of adding an element that looks like a piece of furniture, or just extending the wall, we decided to extend the wall but then cut pieces at irregular angles out of it, to make it look like it had always been that long,” says Falkenberg.

In the living room itself, a large white sliding panel conceals the TV and serves as a canvas for a gold-plated sculpture from Allan Switzer (the piece itself acting as a tool to move the panel across). Furniture pieces were selected to feel collected over time, rather than to furnish a new home, with Vancouver designer Ben Barber’s Artemis coffee table serving as a sculptural anchor to Womb and Amedee chairs and Piero Lissoni’s 8 sofa from Cassina. “The intent was to create spaces that feel sophisticated, layered and effortlessly playful all at once,” says Reynolds.

The adjacent kitchen features one of the materials the homeowner fell in love with at her previous home: Volga Blue granite, a black stone that features flecks of iridescent blue when light hits it at the right angle. “The trick was how we use it in a small space, where a black granite can be quite overwhelming,” says Falkenberg. A combination of white and fumed oak cabinetry keeps the space airy and light, while a thinly framed open shelf above the fridge and pantry allows light to pass through from the windows in the adjacent mudroom and living room.

And while the lower level is rich in warm woods, burnished metals and cozy fabrics, upstairs, the primary suite is white, bright and feminine, with a floral Murano glass chandelier overhead and a custom bed from Vancouver’s Ffabb Home. The ensuite is almost entirely white, from the brilliant white glazed ceramic tile and millwork to the oversized soaker tub, save for one feature wall of aqua-hued tile, a calming reference to the Burrard Inlet that’s just outside the windows.

It’s a home that’s as tailored to the homeowner’s new urban life as her previous home was, despite the downsizing—and just what she’d hoped for. “She’s a person who has really wide interests—including owning a Harley-Davidson,” says Falkenberg, noting there’s dedicated space for her boots and helmet in the mud room. “And she embraces all sort of experiences in life. We wanted the space to feel like it can go in one direction and be more casual, but it can also be really elegant when it needs to be.”

Artful Home

The homeowner has a large collection of artwork, and its placement was an important part of the design process. In the guest bedroom, there’s a painting from Graham Gilmore, and in the guest bathroom, a piece called Collection of Street Found Objects by David Weir.

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OCEAN EMBRACE

The team at PlaidFox Studio brings a cozy beach house vibe to a once-bleak ’90s-era Kits Point home.

By Rebecca Philps / Photos by Ema Peter

Family Matters

Mina Wesa (left) and her husband, Sukh Brar, fell in love with the location of this house near Kits Beach in Vancouver, even if the original home wasn’t much to look at. The team at PlaidFox Studio transformed the space into a warm and welcoming beachy escape, with details like this custom table from local makers Barter Design.

Manypeople dream of living by the ocean. For Mina Wesa, who lived on the UBC campus as a child when she and her family first arrived in Canada, the seaside came to mean home. “It opens up my heart,” she says.

Years later, when Wesa and her husband, Sukh Brar, came across a listing just a block from the beach, they pounced. The house wasn’t much—a ’90s-built, reverse-layout rental property split into two units—but its location was everything

The couple were newly married and looking for a property that would accommodate their soon-to-grow family. Brar was raised in Aldergrove, B.C., and pictured raising kids in a spacious, suburban family home. Wesa, who had been living in an Olympic Village condo, also wanted a family home, but one in the city and near the seawall, where she loves to run. They found their happy compromise in Kits Point, a quiet, leafy Vancouver neighbourhood perched right on English Bay. The house, however, needed serious work.

Wesa quickly enlisted her good friend Ben Leavitt—the creative director of PlaidFox Studio—to create a cozy beach house. She and Brar wanted the design to be inspired by the West Coast, but also by their international travels. Elements of the home would speak to her Afghani background and his Indian background. But, most of all, the house needed to feel like a serene retreat. Wesa and Brar both work in demanding jobs at a busy urban hospital, she as an OB/GYN, he as an anesthesiologist—and they needed a haven.

“Often when people build homes that are close to a beach, everything is white and ethereal, and they rely on light and the view to make the home interesting,” says Leavitt. For this home, no one wanted “a sea of white drywall,” he says. “We wanted texture, warmth and layers.” He and senior interior designer Kelly O’Quinn also embraced colour. “When we do a coastal home,” notes Leavitt, “we’re inspired by sand, by wood, by greens and foliage, by sea glass and seashells and pearlescent things, by charcoal stones, cloud cover and grey water— anything but white.”

Designer Ben Leavitt’s first idea after the walkthrough was to raise the entire roof of the house to create vaulted ceilings on the top floor and allow for much larger windows and sliding doors that could extend the upper floor out to a terrace. The beach house aesthetic is subtly deployed, including a coffee table from Vancouver artist Brent Comber, and seen in the great room’s modern Knotty Bubbles wall sconce by Roll and Hill, which mimics a buoy in the ocean.

Beach Baby

The kitchen island cabinetry is inspired by old filing cabinets, where an architect might store drawings—“but those little skinny drawers open to be super big, deep drawers,” says designer Kelly O’Quinn. It’s the illusion of impracticality, but it is all very functional. The kitchen cabinets have a grooved texture that mimics a shiplap pattern, and even the hood fan was plastered to give it a rounded, soft shape.

BEFORE

Vintage Charm

“When

we do a coastal home, we’re inspired by sand, by wood, by greens and foliage, by sea glass and seashells and pearlescent things, by charcoal stones, cloud cover and grey water—anything but white.”

Cozy Comfort

There’s even more texture in the primary bedroom, where the fireplace is clad in Ann Sacks fluted terrazzo tile and the custom armoire is made with rattan and ribbed white oak. The Mallo upholstered bed was made by Ffabb Home.

Great Escape

“Often the primary bathroom is just laden in marble, but we wanted to keep the feeling of how the home is connected to the earth,” says Leavitt. “So we did the floor in a warm, toasty, caramel-coloured Mutina tile.”

Home Works

Wesa’s office is a warm, feminine enclave with cabinetry painted an earthy red (Benjamin Moore’s Hickory Stick); a rose-coloured marble desktop; a curvy office chair re-upholstered with floral fabric; and Tuscany linen drapes in a sun-scorched terracotta shade.

Leavitt and O’Quinn also knew they needed to create intimate pockets throughout the home—places for privacy and retreat, but also places where the family could gather, and little kids could run wild. “I know a lot of people hold off on renovations or living in a nice space because they worry the kids will ruin things, which is absolutely true!” says Wesa with a laugh. “But I always say, life is now. Why wait? You’ve got to live well while you are healthy and young.”

The materials were chosen accordingly. Limestone, marble, encaustic concrete and brass feature throughout the house, all materials that are meant to be imperfect, to show age and wear, and to even improve with a little rough-and-tumble living. In the dining area, the enormous banquette (so big that it had to be craned into the house through the third-floor balcony) is covered in a tan-and-white striped commercial grade outdoor fabric—one that aced a spilledspaghetti and splattered-ketchup test.

Of course, durable and practical choices can still be a lot of fun. In the kids’ bathroom, a glazed, burnt-sugar Zellige tile, travertine countertop, brass fixtures and sage-green cabinets create a jewel-box room that might easily have been an afterthought. A custom Arabic arch frames the tub, which uses encaustic concrete from Morocco and plays off the black-and-white star-patterned tile on the floor.

Where the original entranceway was practical and utilitarian, Leavitt and O’Quinn created another jewel-box moment. What was once a small wooden door is now a nine-foot glass one, and the new staircase is shifted backward to make the entrance larger, the closet tucked further down the hall to make room for a custom bench by Western Designers. Ink-coloured Mutina tiles line the floor, while a glass and powder-coated white metal wall from Iron and Ash, a metal fabricator in Vancouver, creates a stunning backdrop for a gigantic 10-foot painting of two cobalt-blue sailors by Toronto artist Erin Armstrong.

One of the most striking features of the home, which is on view from the entrance, was also a temporary pain point. Leavitt and O’Quinn worked with Jason Skladan from Skladan Architecture to clad the angled upper-floor ceiling in rustic wood. “Texture is such an important feature of the house,” says Leavitt, “and we also wanted it so that the house would feel really cozy in the evenings. We didn’t want a vast, cathedral-like drywalled ceiling.” Everyone was invested in the idea, but as it was going up—a highly intricate process—Brar and Wesa balked. They worried it might feel too dark and heavy. “There were a lot of questions, and lots of discussion, but I convinced them to trust in the process,” says Leavitt. “Sukh and Mina are both adventurous and optimistic, so thankfully they did, and now, when you come up the staircase, you’re greeted with an ocean of textured, beautiful wood.” And it has become one of the couple’s favourite features of their warm hug of a home.

Cool Kid

In the kids’ room, an Afghani knitted art piece is hung alongside a 200-year-old antique coastal landscape oil painting from the U.K. Wesa and Brar collect art as they travel, and so Leavitt mixed old and new pieces in every room to create a sense of timelessness that is sometimes lost in a brand-new home.

THE BACK-UP PLAN

Calgary designer Alykhan Velji takes a half-finished renovation to its full potential.

By Stacey McLachlan / Photos by Michelle Johnson

Big Picture Thinking

In the dining room, the homeowners’ vintage china cabinet was a starting point of inspiration for designer Alykhan Velji (pictured, opposite page). “We designed the room around it,” he laughs. “It goes to show that a mix of modern and traditional pieces can really work well.”

Weknow, we know: everyone is tired of the word “pivot.”

But there’s no other way to describe how the owners of this handsome Calgary home came into interior designer Alykhan Velji’s orbit.

“They had started some revisions on the house already and knew they wanted to update it with a traditional aesthetic,” explains Velji. “They just hit a block and didn’t know how to move forward.” The 3,300-square-foot project was already half demolished, but the planned layout just didn’t feel quite right. The homeowners listened to their instincts and made the bold move of changing course, turning to Velji to help the space find its proper final form.

The home is located in Calgary’s Varsity Estates neighbourhood, close to the university, where the streets are lined with spacious lots and big, beautiful estate homes. Velji reworked the floor plans to change the placement of the kitchen and aesthetically took the project in a fresh direction, albeit one that nods to the past: a British manor made modern.

The black-and-white Tierra Sol tiles in the entryway introduce the visual concept with a punch. “The over-scaled checkerboard was perfect for the entry,” says Velji. “We wanted to keep the vibe of a

Personal Touch

The living room (opposite page) has been designed as a cozy getaway from life, with a cushy sectional from Sundays, a Moe’s Home coffee table, Crate and Barrel chairs and lighting and a plush Loloi area rug. Behind the sofa, you’ll find a wall of items the homeowners have collected during their travels, showcased in custom frames.

Work It

“The whole home is a lesson on how to richly layer all your texture, pattern and different finishes to make it feel warm and inviting,” says Velji.

“We wanted to keep the vibe of a stately, large foyer and make it super dramatic.”

Perfect Pair

While the dark cabinetry of the island (lined with CF Interiors stools, above) connects the kitchen visually to the dining room (right), the rest of the space is bright and airy thanks to walls wrapped in quartzite and square, ivory-coloured Daltile tiles with a handmade feel. A plaster treatment on the hood fan adds a beautiful textural warmth. Cabinetry comes from Liber Design; pendant lights are from Visual Comfort; wall sconces are Cedar and Moss.

stately, large foyer and make it super dramatic.” The homeowners are big antique lovers, so Velji worked pieces from their existing collection into the refreshed space, like the vintage console table sourced from Labode Shoppe and Interiors that sits by the front door beneath an artful Arteriors light fixture.

In the powder room at the home’s entrance, Velji incorporated a beautiful mash-up of textures— a vintage-inspired Rebel Walls wallpaper, café-style blinds made from gorgeous linen from Maxwell Fabrics, richly veined marble on the countertops. “More is more, especially in powder rooms,” says Velji. “It’s an opportunity to go a bit beyond what you are comfortable with, experiment and have fun!”

Bold moments like that powder room and the entry are balanced by cool, calm, neutral moments like the hallway (“It’s a reprieve,” says Velji), but ducking into the dining room, the drama is back in full force. Here, crown moulding on the ceiling adds old-school elegance, while the wall-to-wall-to-ceiling slate-grey paint (Benjamin Moore’s Cheating Heart) gives the space a thoroughly modern twist. The custom dining table is lined with two different styles of chairs from Crate and Barrel—on the end, a pair of stately seats covered in luxe mossgreen velvet; on the sides, streamlined wood-framed chairs that keep the room feeling airy.

The moody palette here ties into the kitchen island in the next room, where dark stained oak cabinets form the base. Mixed hardware (find antique brass alongside polished nickel) adds a sense of history. “I love mixing metals,” says Velji. “It just makes for a curatedlooking space.” Through a pocket door, a hyper-organized butler’s pantry is kitted out with the same checkerboard floor tiles as the front hall—and swoon-worthy pale green cabinets.

Those checkered tiles make one more surprise appearance elsewhere in the house: in front of the living room fireplace. What was once a brick-clad wood-burning hearth has been remodelled with a quirky, curvaceous plaster frame. “It’s a stunner,” says Velji. It’s also the focal point of a room intended to be what Velji describes as a “refuge” for the homeowners and their two active, athletic kids. “The clients have a very busy lifestyle. When they come home, they want this to be a calming space where they could relax,” he says. “Nothing is too precious here.” The library down the hall is another oasis for the kids during homework time, featuring an organic mural-like wallpaper from House of Hackney. “Wallpaper can really transform a space,” notes Velji. “It’s a detail that envelops the room and makes it feel cozy and rich.”

We’ll never know what this house might have become if the homeowners had stuck to the original renovation strategy—but Velji’s backup plan managed to reveal the home it was always meant to be.

Bathing

A West Coast modern home is brought back to glory by the team at Splyce Design

By Michael Harris / Photos by

A HAPPY RETURN

Ema Peter

Bringing It Back

This 1969 post-and-beam home from legendary architect Daniel Evan White had been through a series of bad renovations that both diminished its West Coast modern heritage and blocked the stellar ocean view. But a thoughtful new reno from Nigel Parish of Splyce Design returns the building to its roots.

Thestony beaches of West Vancouver, secluded and pristine, kept calling them. And then they found the perfect waterfront residence: a 1969 postand-beam classic by legendary Vancouver architect Daniel Evan White. There was just one problem: it wasn’t a classic anymore.

In fact, when the family of four invited designer Nigel Parish of Splyce Design to visit the West Coast modern house they’d purchased, neither the “West Coast” nor the “modern” were visible. The clean, midcentury lines of what was originally called Reynolds House were now buried beneath decades of unsympathetic additions.

“It had been completely divorced from the origins of White’s architecture,” laughs Parish. “White was Arthur Erickson’s first employee. But the majority of the beautiful post-and-beam structure had been covered with drywall, crown mouldings and coffered ceilings.”

Making matters worse, a bulky staircase and grandiose fireplace were blocking the stellar ocean view. And what, after all, is the point of a home on the beach if not to let all that light and air sail through every room?

Approaching the house today, one crosses a garden on the way toward a wall of humble shingled siding and a grey front door. Only the six-foot steel canopy hints at Parish’s bold renovation within.

The dramatic new staircase is crafted from steel that’s less than an inch thick and suspended by woven aircraft cables. A bulky staircase and a grandiose fireplace (below) were removed.

Inside, the change is like a blast of fresh air. A capacious white interior is pared back to its post-and-beam roots, allowing ocean views to rush toward visitors, even in the entryway.

And, most startling of all, the onerous staircase (which used to nix any view from the tucked-away kitchen) has been replaced and reoriented; the new staircase nearly levitates, a cascade of steel less than an inch thick, suspended by woven aircraft cables. Views swim easily underneath.

Those thin cables seem to mirror the joints between the original (and freshly exposed) boards in the ceiling. “We didn’t try to patch and make those perfect,” Parish explains. “The ceiling has some scars and imperfections. There’s a tension between the new and the old. It tells a story.”

The project is called ReDEW—a friendly nod to the original architect’s initials, but also an acknowledgement that this really is a “redo,” a chance to recover the building’s true spirit. Sometimes respecting the past is best done not through basic imitation but by using contemporary ideas to accommodate the earlier ethos.

Parish has done exactly that. The ReDEW building is new and classic at once. Climb that floating staircase to the primary bedroom above, and you’ll be struck by a balance of current and time-worn elements: considered new items (teardrop-shaped Artemide pendants, a whimsical cork stool by Vitra) sit beneath a weathered slope of cabin-worthy ceiling boards.

Meanwhile, the main space’s iconic windows—two double-storey triangles of glass— give everything a bold, mid-century framing. But of-the-moment furnishings still mark the homeowners’ daily lives. In a sunken living space, the central fireplace (gaudy no more) is custom-built and boxed by simple, painted steel. And the adjacent dining area is anchored by a custom-built, 12-foot table whose simple concrete supports were poured onsite and plunge straight through the fir floorboards.

Flying High

“The ceiling has some scars and imperfections. There’s a tension between the new and the old. It tells a story.”

Dive In Parish and the team at Splyce renovated the pool area out back, designing the hardscaping and working with Botanica for the plantings.

Counter Point

While the home is mainly white and bright in its palette, like Silestone counters and grey elm millwork in the kitchen (above), the powder room (below) offers an elegant departure with black porcelain tiled walls, and an elongated basin.

Minimalist millwork by Stokk Construction provides a clean backdrop throughout for Parish’s vision of having the changing coastal light fascinate each surface. “The light creates different moods and effects constantly, so we wanted a white-on-white neutrality to enhance this.”

That purposeful restraint also lets each view of the outdoors deliver more colour. Through those epic triangular windows come bolts of emerald green from mature gardens and smoke blue from the Pacific’s waves. Tempted outside, one can open new sliding-glass doors and pass toward the patio, deck and pool.

Time-worn beams and timeless views are fully celebrated at last. Airy volumes, clean lines and a restrained palette manage to give this house back its proper spirit, a halfcentury later. It’s a home that proves you sometimes need to move forward in order to return.

Right Angles

The lofted ceilings in the existing architecture shine now, and allow for special moments like a ladder that leads to a secret loft for the homeowners’ daughter (top), and a light-filled passageway in the primary suite (bottom left and right).

ENTERTAINING

The best recipes, menus and wine pairings for hosts with the most.

Sunny Side Up

We’re infusing summer vibes into plentiful, solstice-themed recipes (page 60). PLUS , get a sneak peek at the Okanagan’s newest cidery, where a vibrant design shines (page 52).

Solstice Vegetable Torte, see page 66 for recipe.

Mark Gibbon

Sweet Escape

Lass Chance gives “misfit” fruit (and weary Okanagan travellers) a fresh opportunity.

By A lyssa Hirose / Photos by Jon Adrian

The old lemons-into-lemonade saying rings particularly true at Lass Chance Beverage Co.—when life gave them ugly fruit, they made cider. The Keremeos cidery uses over three million pounds of misfit fruit from parent company Lasser Produce to create its bold, bubbly drinks. “The fruit might be a little sun-kissed, bruised or not the right size,” explains Lass Chance vice-president Court Coulter. This summer, the team will open a tasting room and restaurant on the farm. It’s a gorgeous, dramatic location, with the orchard wrapping around the building and the rolling hills of the Okanagan visible in all directions. It’s also fairly remote, so Tori Brownrigg, interior designer at Begrand Fast Design, focused on making it a destination. “It needed to be a place that people would drive to,” the designer says.

To make the tasting room road-trip-worthy, the design team took inspiration from nostalgic Okanagan pit stops—“like going to a fruit stand and getting ice cream,” says Brownrigg. For a statement-making interior, they originally selected a fun floral wallpaper that matched with the cidery’s branding... only for it to be discontinued two days before they presented the design to Lass Chance. “Instead of starting from scratch, we were able to work with the supplier and create a custom wallpaper feature that became even better,” the designer says. The one-of-a-kind wallpaper splashes pears, peaches and apples across the tasting room walls. There are subtle additional nods to fruit all around: two-toned pendant lights above the bench seating give peachy vibes, and original drawings of the cider cans are hung throughout the space. Acoustic panels that reduce noise (the 18-foot ceilings make the space echo-prone) look like fencing, another ode to the orchard beyond.

“There’s something truly magical about just stepping out on the patio and taking a look around at the

PERFECT PALETTE

One of the elements that makes this space so effective is a strict colour story. Brownrigg says the design team even reupholstered the (new!) chairs to get the seating hues just right.

PHOTO READY

“They knew right from the beginning that social media was going to be a huge draw,” says Brownrigg. Lass Chance was mindfully designed for picture-perfect moments that would prompt followers to visit.

DRAWING A LINE

“At the 10-foot mark, we painted a soft peach colour to delineate the space,” says Brownrigg. “It makes the tasting area more intimate.”

FRUIT, FRAMED

The design team didn’t want the striking wallpaper to be overwhelming, so they opted to frame it instead of covering the entire wall. “It adds depth and interest to the space, but also gave us the ability to have an ending point,” says Brownrigg.

ALL THE CURVES

mountains,” says Coulter. To complement the natural beauty of the valley, the design team kept some elements of the cider house minimal. The polished concrete floors, uneven bar tiles and distressed composite wood behind the bar are understated but pretty. “When you’re walking in, your eye has places to rest,” says Brownrigg, “but at the same time, every single inch of the place was an intentional design.” Besides cider, Lass Chance offers guests non-alcoholic fruit sodas and charcuterie plates made with local cheeses and chutneys; they also host food trucks for more easygoing eats during the summer months. “It’s for the whole family,” says Coulter. So, road-trippers of all ages can ask “are we there yet?” on that scenic cider house drive.

The Lasser family’s first foray into misfit fruit drinks was an apple juice. Then, they tried an apple wine. This dry apple cider made with ambrosia, pink lady and gala apples was the third iteration, and is now a classic.

NEXT GEN HASKAP CIDER

Haskap berries are a bit of an unsung hero in the fruit world. “Think about if a blueberry and a strawberry had a baby,” says Coulter when describing the flavour. Adventurous drinkers: add this one to your tasting flight.

This cider incorporates bartlett and anjou pears, as well as apples. “It’s a really unique cider offering and one of the favourites so far,” says Coulter.

GOLDEN CHILD APPLE CIDER

SECOND COUSIN PEAR CIDER

Rounded corners on the wallpaper feature, bar and self-serve water station balance out some of the tasting room’s more angular elements.

PaCIFIC PLaTES Smashed Waldorf

Bestselling cookbook author Shelley Adams is back with a new collection of instant classics: Whitewater Cooks: The Food We Love. In collaboration with her son, Conner, the Nelson-based chef has developed everyday recipes that combine the familiar flavours of B.C. with fresh, seasonal California cuisine.

Recipes by Shelley Adams + Conner Adams

Photography

by

David R. Gluns

Potatoes

Serves 4 to 6

Mike’s Special Potatoes from the Whitewater Cooks: More Beautiful Food cookbook are so friggin’ good that we decided to include another version in The Food We Love. We can’t get enough of this technique for these little potatoes. The blue cheese and candied walnuts make this dish feel like a dessert as much as a side!

Potatoes

20 to 24 nugget or baby potatoes

4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Sea salt

Blue cheese cream

1 cup roquefort, crumbled

½ cup sour cream

1 tsp white wine vinegar

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Candied walnuts

1 tbsp butter

½ cup walnuts, roughly chopped and toasted

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

1 tbsp maple syrup

2 tbsp fresh tarragon or parsley, chopped

Chef’s Tip

This is the perfect fancy side for your favourite steak.

To make the potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F.

Place potatoes in a pot of cold water, bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium-high.

Cook for about 20 minutes, until potatoes are just done and can be pierced with a fork.

Drain potatoes right away and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Gently smash and flatten potatoes with a meat mallet or the back of a wooden spoon.

Drizzle with 2 tbsp oil and sprinkle with salt to taste.

Roast for 15 minutes, flip, drizzle with the remaining 2 tbsp oil and roast for another 15 minutes.

Remove from the oven.

To make the blue cheese cream: Combine roquefort, sour cream and vinegar in a medium-sized bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. This can be done with a whisk or a fork to break down the blue cheese crumbles and achieve a creamy consistency.

To make the candied walnuts: Melt butter in a small frying pan over medium heat.

Toss walnuts in butter for 2 to 3 minutes, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

Turn off heat, add maple syrup and stir to coat walnuts. Set aside.

To serve:

Spread blue cheese cream on a serving platter.

Arrange potatoes on top.

Sprinkle with candied walnuts and garnish with tarragon.

Swordfish with Piccata Pan Sauce

Serves 4

This simple preparation of our favourite fish is so good and you’re going to love it. Shelley makes it often in her little apartment at the Pink Palace with her funny little stove and kitchen. That’s how simple and easy it is to make. There’s a fabulous fish market in Ambleside that brings in the freshest of fish every day. Find some swordfish at your local fish store and make this!

2 large swordfish steaks (about 2 lb), cut in half

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

4 tbsp all-purpose flour

2 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided

2 shallots, sliced thinly into rings

4 anchovy fillets, whole

2 tbsp capers, drained

½ cup white wine

¼ cup Italian parsley, finely chopped, for garnish

1 lemon, cut into wedges

Chef’s Tip

Any firm fresh fish would be delicious with this recipe.

Season swordfish fillets with salt and pepper to taste, then dredge in flour.

Heat oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until hot.

Add swordfish fillets and sear until golden, about 3 minutes per side.

Set aside cooked swordfish to rest. Drain excess fat from the pan and discard.

Add the shallots, anchovies, capers and the remaining 2 tbsp butter to the still-hot pan.

Cook for about 3 minutes, or until shallots are softened

Deglaze pan with wine and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until alcohol cooks off and wine reduces.

Pour sauce evenly over the swordfish fillets and sprinkle with parsley.

Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.

Excerpted from Whitewater Cooks: The Food We Love by Shelley Adams and Conner Adams. Copyright © 2024 Shelley Adams and Conner Adams. Photography by David R. Gluns. Published by Alicon Holdings Ltd. Nelson BC. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.

Banana Cake with Chocolate Hazelnut Mascarpone Cream

Serves 8

This is a super-easy layer cake with no buttercream icing or smooth edges to fiddle with. We love banana cake, and the addition of the chocolate hazelnut spread and mascarpone reminds us a bit of tiramisu. Easiest cake ever!

Cake

2 eggs, room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

2 tbsp brown sugar

½ cup neutral oil, such as canola

1⅓ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3½ bananas)

2 tbsp full-fat plain Greek yogurt, or sour cream

1 tsp vanilla

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp salt

Chocolate hazelnut mascarpone cream

1 cup mascarpone

1 cup whipping cream

2 tbsp granulated sugar

⅓ cup chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella or your favourite brand)

Cocoa powder, for dusting

To make the cake: Preheat oven to 325°F.

Grease bottoms of two 8-inch round baking pans and line with parchment paper.

Beat eggs and both sugars together using an electric mixer on high speed for about 5 minutes, or until pale and thick.

Turn down the mixer to medium speed and slowly drizzle in oil until incorporated.

Fold in mashed bananas, yogurt and vanilla.

Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together in a bowl, then fold gently into the banana mixture.

Divide the batter between the two prepared cake pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cakes are golden brown and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Cool on a wire rack before inverting out of the pan onto a baking sheet.

To make the chocolate hazelnut mascarpone cream: Whip mascarpone, whipping cream and sugar together using an electric mixer on high speed until thick and almost-stiff peaks form.

Divide the cream equally into two bowls.

Gently fold the chocolate hazelnut spread into one bowl of cream so there are still swirls through the cream. Leave the other bowl plain.

To assemble:

Place one layer of cake on a serving platter.

Top with the plain cream and spread almost to the edges.

Place the other layer on top, pressing down slightly.

Top with the swirled chocolate hazelnut cream, spreading it out to the edges.

Dust lightly with cocoa powder.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Chef’s Tip

Try substituting the chocolate hazelnut spread with your favourite smooth peanut butter.

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SavourtheSolstice

We’re celebrating the longest day of the year with bountiful, sunshine-ready, picnic-worthy recipes.

and food

Recipes

styling by Lawren Moneta

Prop styling by Paris Forrer

Photography by Mark Gibbon

Abundant Collard Green Veggie Rolls

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Prep time: 1 hour

Cook time: 5 minutes

Kick off your summer solstice celebration with a dish bursting with colour and flavour. These rolls are packed with a medley of crisp, seasonal vegetables all wrapped up in sturdy collard greens for a satisfying crunch. Paired with a creamy sunflower seed dipping sauce— rich, savoury and allergy-friendly—this dish is a delicious, modern twist on classic summer flavours. Feel free to play around and get creative with the filling ingredients and use what you have on hand. For extra crunch, you can skip blanching the collard greens

Creamy Sunflower Sauce

½ cup sunflower seed butter

2 tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar

2 tbsp maple syrup

2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice

1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce or tamari

½ to 1 tbsp sriracha sauce, according to taste

1 tsp finely grated ginger

¼ tsp ground turmeric

4 to 6 tbsp water

Veggie Rolls

10 to 12 large collard greens

1 cup finely sliced red cabbage

2 large carrots, peeled and julienned

½ English cucumber, julienned

2 tomatoes, cut into quarters, seeds removed and julienned

1 yellow pepper, julienned

1 small jalapeno, very thinly sliced into rounds (optional)

1 cup mixed fresh herbs, such as cilantro, parsley, basil and mint

CHEF’S TIP

Unsure of your knife skills? You can “shave” the collard green stems down with a peeler instead.

Start by making creamy sunflower sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together sunflower seed butter, vinegar, maple syrup, lime juice, soy sauce, sriracha, ginger and turmeric and 4 tbsp water until thoroughly combined. If sauce is too thick, add additional water 1 tbsp at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. Transfer to a serving bowl or place in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use, or for up to one week.

For veggie rolls, start by preparing collard greens. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Set up an ice bath by filling a large bowl with a couple of handfuls of ice, then filling the bowl halfway full of cold water. Set aside. Chop off collard green stems and, using a paring knife, slightly shave down thickness of stems at the base of leaf. This will allow for the easier folding of rolls.

Add collard greens, a couple at a time, to boiling water until bright green (about 30 seconds). Immediately plunge collard greens into ice bath to stop the cooking process. Pat dry with paper towel or a clean kitchen towel. Set aside and continue blanching the rest of the collard greens.

Working with one collard green at a time, place on a flat surface. Near the stem end, arrange some cabbage, carrots, cucumber, tomatoes, pepper and herbs in a neat pile. Fold up collard greens around vegetable filling like a burrito, tucking in the sides, until you have a secure roll. Place seam side down on a plate and continue filling and rolling remaining collard greens.

To serve, slice rolls in half and place on a platter alongside a bowl of creamy sunflower sauce for dipping.

Midsummer Salad

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

This take on a traditional Swedish midsummer potato salad brings together simple, seasonal ingredients to create a dish that is as refreshing as the long, sun-filled solstice itself.

1½ lb new potatoes, scrubbed

1 small red onion, peeled, halved and thinly sliced

8 radishes, with their greens

2 tbsp whole-grain mustard

2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

2 tbsp unsweetened rice vinegar

1 tsp liquid honey

2 tbsp finely chopped chives

2 tbsp chopped fresh dill

½ tsp fine sea salt

¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

2 small Persian cucumbers, cut into thin rounds or bite-sized chunks

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and simmer until fork tender (about 10 to 15 minutes). Strain into a colander and let sit for about 10 minutes or until cool enough to handle.

While the potatoes cool, place the onions in a medium bowl and cover with cold water. Let sit for 10 minutes before straining and rinsing onions under cold water. Pat dry and set aside.

Separate the radish greens from radish bulbs and wash each separately under cold running water. Pick through the greens, discarding any rotten leaves. Slice the radish bulbs into thin rounds or wedges.

In a small bowl, whisk together mustard, oil, vinegar, honey, chives, dill, salt and pepper until well combined.

When ready to assemble salad, half or quarter the potatoes and add to a large bowl along with the dressing. Toss gently to combine. Add onions, radish greens and sliced bulbs and cucumber. Toss everything gently together until combined. Taste and season with additional salt if needed. Serve and enjoy.

CHEF’S TIP

If you’re planning on taking this salad to a picnic, pack dressing, marinated potatoes and other prepared vegetables separately. Once ready, toss everything together and serve.

Salmon Pan Bagnat

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Prep time: 40 minutes + chill time

Cook time: 20 minutes

This twist on the classic Niçoise pressed sandwich is the perfect dish for an alfresco meal in the summer sun. Think of it as a salad disguised as a sandwich. It needs to be assembled and left to chill to let all the rich flavours mingle, so it’s a great make-ahead option for any outdoor entertaining: simply slice and serve when ready.

1 tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp ground cumin

½ tsp ground coriander

1 lb skinless and boneless salmon fillet, cut into 2 pieces

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

¼ cup olive oil

⅓ cup sherry vinegar

1 tsp liquid honey

1 shallot, thinly sliced

1 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed

2 tbsp grapeseed oil or refined coconut oil

3 large eggs, at room temperature

2 oil-packed anchovy fillets, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tsp finely grated lemon zest

2 tbsp whole-grain mustard

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 round sourdough boule or ciabatta loaf (about 12 inches in length), cut in half lengthwise

½ English cucumber, thinly sliced

6 radishes, thinly sliced

⅓ cup Niçoise olives, pitted and halved

⅓ cup drained Peppadew peppers or roasted red pepper, sliced

10 to 15 large basil leaves

2 medium tomatoes, sliced

2 cups baby arugula

In a small bowl, whisk together paprika, cumin and coriander. Generously season salmon fillets with salt and pepper before rubbing all over with seasoning mixture. Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, honey, shallot and capers. Set aside.

In a large frying pan or cast iron skillet, heat grapeseed oil over medium-high heat until just starting to smoke. Add salmon, skin side down, and immediately turn heat down to medium. Let salmon sear until a golden-brown crust forms (about 2 minutes). Flip fillets and sear other side until fish is almost cooked through (it should register 120°F on an instant-read thermometer). Remove pan from heat and pour vinaigrette around salmon. Take care as it will bubble and sputter. Set pan aside while preparing remaining ingredients.

To cook hard-boiled eggs, fill a small saucepan with water and bring just to a boil over medium-high heat. Add in eggs and cook for 8 to 9 minutes, depending on how firm you like your yolk. Immediately drain saucepan and fill with ice and cold water, letting eggs cool for 5 minutes. Peel, cut each egg in half and set aside.

Using a fork, mash together anchovy fillets, garlic and lemon zest in a small bowl until well mixed. Stir in mustard and mayonnaise until mixture is thoroughly combined. Set aside.

Scoop out some of the inside of each bread half, and spread the inside of each half generously with anchovy mayonnaise. Working with bottom half of bread, start to layer cucumber, radishes, olives, eggs, peppers, basil and tomato. Using a fork, flake and smash salmon, combining it with vinaigrette in the pan. Spoon salmon over tomatoes before covering with arugula. Cap off with top half of bread and wrap sandwich up tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Place sandwich on a plate or rimmed baking tray and place a large cast iron skillet on top to weigh it down. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Unwrap, slice and serve.

CHEF’S TIP

You’ll know the salmon is perfectly crispy and ready to flip when it releases easily from the pan without sticking.

Solstice Vegetable Torte

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Prep time: 40 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Similar to a crustless quiche or a frittata, this torte has a round shape that nods to the sun during the summer solstice. Any leftover torte keeps well and reheats nicely, making it a perfect grab-and-go meal the next day

3 lb green and/or yellow zucchini, ends trimmed and sliced into ½-inch rounds

1 tbsp + 1 tsp kosher salt, divided

2 tbsp grapeseed oil or refined coconut oil

1 cup thinly sliced onion

2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped

2 tbsp fresh oregano leaves, chopped

7 large eggs

½ cup whipping cream

1 tbsp hot sauce of choice, optional

¼ cup all-purpose flour or oat flour

1 cup coarsely grated Monterey jack cheese

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

½ tsp white pepper

To start, place zucchini in a colander and gently toss with 1 tbsp salt. Set colander in the sink and let sit for 30 minutes, tossing occasionally, to allow excess water to drain away.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Generously grease a 9-inch springform pan with butter or cooking spray. Take one large piece of aluminum foil and cover bottom and outside of pan, crinkling to secure. Set aside. Line a large rimmed baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.

Rinse zucchini and pat dry with a paper towel. Place on prepared baking tray in a single layer (don’t worry if some pieces overlap). Bake, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. This will remove excess water to prevent it from affecting the final texture of the torte.

Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, warm oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and remaining 1 tsp salt. Sauté until onions are just starting to turn translucent and lightly caramelized (about 5 minutes).

CHEF’S TIP

If dried herbs are more readily available, simply substitute 1 teaspoon of dried herb for every 1 tablespoon of fresh called for in the recipe.

Add tomatoes and garlic and sauté until tomatoes start to soften (about 3 minutes). Remove frying pan from heat and stir in basil and oregano. Set pan aside. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, hot sauce (if using), flour, cheeses and pepper until thoroughly combined. Gently fold in baked zucchini mixture. Add cooled tomato and onion mixture and gently stir to incorporate everything together, taking care not to break up zucchini too much.

Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking tray, then set prepared springform pan on top of rack. Pour torte mixture into the springform pan and transfer the tray and pan into the oven. Bake until top of torte is lightly browned and custard is set (about 50 to 60 minutes). A paring knife inserted into centre of the torte should come out clean. If the torte is not quite set, tent top of the springform pan with foil and bake an additional 10 to 20 minutes.

Remove torte from oven and let rest on a wire rack for 20 minutes before running a paring knife around inside of the springform pan to loosen the torte. Serve warm or at room temperature. Torte will keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Illustration: Olga Draws/Shutterstock

Sun-kissed Sips

Traditionally, when June 21 rolls around, we transition into lighter, crisper whites to usher in the longer days and warmer weather. Changing tastes, however, mean that, for many of us, these are the wines we drink all year long. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few surprises lurking in the warm months for anyone who’s willing to push the envelope a bit.

By Neal McLennan

Tantalus 2023

Bear Chardonnay

$23.48

Chardonnay is not the lightest grape on its feet and on top of that it’s frequently exposed to new oak, making it an ideal full-bodied winter white. But Tantalus’s David Paterson brings a less-is-more ethos to this bargain bottle: no new oak, keep the alcohol low and put an emphasis on the citrus and saltiness that the grape can convey. This wine is a chablis hack for when you want to fill the drinks buckets for a party but not pay $50

Gérard Bertrand Orange Gold 2022

You may have had some issues with your first exposure to orange wine, but trust us: it’s not going away. The key for this natty darling is to find a reliable producer—like Languedoc’s Gérard Bertrand—who can lead you on the journey toward the complexity and unique flavour (spicy, structured) that comes from letting white grapes stay in contact with their skins for an extended period. This bottle is happy to stand up to collard greens and jalapenos.

Umani Ronchi

Verdicchio

$22

There’s a point in every bottle of verdicchio where I question whether it’s my thing: it’s tangy, salty—almonds covered in lemon zest. A lot of palates don’t expect this level of savouriness in a white wine. But then I have another sip, and another, and another, and by the end I’m in love with its ability to support even the heartiest of food pairings. Capers and olives and eggs? No problem.

always something to celebrate! and we love celebrating!

There’s

There’s always something to celebrate! and we love celebrating!

There’s always something to celebrate! and we love celebrating!

There’s always something to celebrate! and we love celebrating!

Turmeric Honey Cake with Pickled Strawberries

Yield: 9 servings

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cook time: 50 minutes

The perfect ending to any meal, this cake evokes the brilliance of the solstice sun’s warmth and glow with its yellow hue. Paired with tart pickled strawberries that provide a lively contrast to the cake’s sweetness and crowned with a dollop of silky whipped cream, this dessert offers a great balance of light, tangy and indulgent in every bite

Pickled Strawberries

1 cup water

½ cup cider vinegar

1 cup granulated sugar

1 vanilla bean, split in half, or 1 tsp vanilla bean paste

2 cinnamon sticks

8 whole black peppercorns

2 large sprigs fresh thyme

2 lb fresh strawberries

Turmeric Honey Cake

2 large eggs

¾ cup plain yogurt

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest

⅔ cup liquid honey

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

¾ tsp ground turmeric

1 tsp kosher salt

⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper

½ cup natural sliced almonds

1 tbsp granulated sugar

Whipped cream, for serving

To make pickled strawberries, first stir together water, cider vinegar and sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until mixture comes to a hard simmer and sugar has dissolved. Remove saucepan from heat and immediately stir in vanilla bean, cinnamon sticks, peppercorns and thyme. Set aside while preparing strawberries.

Trim off tops of strawberries and cut each in half or quarters, depending on size. Place in a large heat-proof container before pouring warm pickling liquid over berries. Nestle cinnamon, vanilla, peppercorns and thyme among the berries, cover and let mixture come to room temperature before placing in the refrigerator for 4 to 8 hours.

To make cake, start by preheating oven to 325°F. Line an 8- or 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, yogurt, olive oil, lemon zest and honey until thoroughly combined. Set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, turmeric, salt and ground pepper. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and, using a rubber spatula or spoon, gently fold ingredients together until just combined, taking care not to overmix. A few clumps in the batter are fine.

Pour batter into prepared baking pan and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle top of cake with almonds and granulated sugar. Place in oven and bake until almond topping is nicely toasted and a wooden skewer inserted into centre of cake comes out clean (about 35 to 45 minutes). Let cake cook in baking pan on a wire rack for 20 more minutes before removing from pan and allowing to cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature.

To serve, slice cake into squares and divide among serving plates. Remove strawberries from pickling liquid using a slotted spoon and place over or around cake slices. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired, and enjoy.

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Where

The Yoga Diaries

Learning mindfulness by immersion at a secluded wellness retreat on Bowen Island.

By Alyssa Hirose

When I’m packing for any trip, I’ll optimistically shove a single set of workout clothes into the bottom of my bag (where, usually, it remains until I get home). But the day before leaving for Nectar Yoga Retreat, I make sure my husband Chris and I have three sets each: this two-night getaway on Bowen Island, just northwest of Vancouver, promises at least one hour-long movement session per day. After the 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, we’ll be joining—or infiltrating—a group of diehard yogis on a journey of introspection and relaxation surrounded by the gorgeous Pacific Northwest landscape. Unsure of how I should mentally prepare, I focus on outfits. Three pairs of socks will have to be enough, because lately mine have been going missing.

DAY ONE

A woman named Lynne checks us in, then gives us a short tour of the Nectar grounds. She’s the most softspoken person I’ve ever met—having a delicate whisper of a voice must be an asset, if not a requirement, when one works at a remote yoga retreat. We walk by the three minimalist A-frame cabins, the four cottages and the lodge, where we’ll gather soon for orientation and then again every morning for a communal breakfast. A short walk up the hill, there’s Mist Thermal Sanctuary, a sauna/ cold plunge experience that opened on the property in January 2025. In the opposite direction, there’s the geodesic yoga dome, where all of Nectar’s guests will meet for meditation, breathwork and movement. As we navigate the gravel pathways, my husband quietly says for one night only at the Yogadome several times in his best monster-truck-announcer impression. That voice would not be an asset if he wanted a job here.

Jokes aside, Chris is much better suited to this kind of experience than I am. He likes to meditate, and he prioritizes his own physical and mental wellness (read: he’ll go to the community centre sauna solo or devote an entire gym session to stretching). My own movement routine isn’t about inner peace (read: I prefer a fitness studio that blasts club beats while a chiselled instructor

yells at me). When all the guests—there are 13 of us in total—meet in the lodge for our orientation, we’re asked to introduce ourselves, and say our word of intention for the astrological new year. Chris picks “rising,” eliciting oohs from the other guests. They’re experts: including Chris and I, only five of the 13 have never been to Nectar before. The rest have already fallen in love with this forest retreat. They are “real” yoga people. And just as I’m beginning to feel entirely out of my element, Andrea, who is leading the orientation cross-legged on a soft grey sofa, says, “Yoga is for everyone—for every mind, for every body.” With that, we’re off to put that to the test: the first lesson starts just after orientation.

Inside the yoga dome, the instructor, Sarah, starts by talking about the full moon happening tonight. It’s a good time to charge your crystals in the moonlight, she says, then she lists some of the wildlife—ducks, deer, owls—that we’re likely to see during our stay. After that, she guides us through our first movement session. For an amateur like me, it feels very stretch-focused. There are no challenging poses or upside-down acrobatics. It’s more about breathing and being aware of your body and your energy. It’s a very pleasant introduction to a world I don’t yet feel a part of.

DAY TWO

The first morning starts at 8 a.m. with a half-hour guided meditation, so I’m excited when Andrea says we’ll begin the session lying down. But it’s not for our comfort: we’re about to do a breathing exercise that, according to the instructor, may create a heightened sense of awareness and leave you feeling invigorated. We do a pursed-lip, inin-out breathing pattern for the duration of a song. Then, we dive into a more typical meditation, imagining energy that starts in our toes and slowly flows up through the rest of our bodies. My husband later says that, going by my breathing, I was likely asleep during this portion of the morning (I think I simply transcended to a higher plane). But I am very awake during the movement that follows: while Andrea offers plenty of adjustments and options, this class is more physically

advanced. I feel confident, though, largely because I’ve noticed that no one seems to care at all how downward my dog is.

That sense of anonymity fades during breakfast. A dish of potatoes, quinoa salad, toast and a hard-boiled egg is sitting at every spot at the long table when we enter the lodge post-yoga. There is no human in sight, which feels a bit like Beauty and the Beast (Later, I learn that the food was prepared by the lovely retreat chef, Aya, rather than by a chorus of sentient cutlery.) Lynne floats in while we’re eating to pass around “conversation cards”—notecards printed with questions like “What smell makes you feel nostalgic” and “When was the last time you felt unbridled joy.” Many opt not to answer the latter, a sign of how important this stay is; if nothing else, it’s an opportunity to slow down, reflect and reset. The conversation cards do their job, and soon everyone is chatting over their quinoa and coffee. Like us, a couple of other guests have booked in at Mist Thermal Sanctuary after breakfast.

As we walk up the winding forest pathway toward Mist, the full beauty of the saunas

It’s a Stretch Clockwise from top : Nectar’s A-frame single-occupancy cabins are modern and cozy. The geodesic Yoga Dome beats any sweaty studio in the city. The lodge is a peaceful community gathering place (and where vegetarian breakfast is served promptly post-yoga).

becomes apparent. Each one looks like a little house cantilevered over the lush cliffside. Once inside our dedicated pod (called “Forest”), we shower using the dreamy eucalyptus-scented products and settle in to the contrast therapy. Chris does the recommended cycle of 15 minutes of sauna followed by one minute of icy plunge; I do less of both in the spirit of listening to my body and what it needs. I’ve been to quite a few

Bowen Island To-Dos

EAT

Bowen’s dining scene is small but mighty. Doc Morgan’s (named after a barber, not a doctor) in Snug Cove goes full nautical with sailing paraphernalia and a menu featuring fresh oysters, calamari, poke and prawns. We got the Pacific rock cod fish and chips, the ultimate seaside comfort food. The Snug Café a few doors down

Bring the Heat Surrounded by lush forest, Mist Thermal Sanctuary’s private hot/cold therapy pods can fit up to four people and include access to a wood fire sauna, a luxe outdoor shower, a cold plunge, a warm soaking tub and an outdoor seating area with a fire pit.

Nordic-inspired hot/cold spas in B.C., but this is easily the most beautiful. Watching the light dance through the trees through the wall-to-wall window of the wood-fired sauna as you sweat your cares away feels both effortless and luxurious.

DAY THREE

The rays of sun filtering through the yoga dome during Friday morning’s breathwork and meditation are downright ethereal. The class, taught by instructor Cat, is similar in difficulty (movement-wise, at least) to yesterday’s. During a particularly bendy position—lizard—Cat points out that it isn’t about the poses, and that the ability to get your head closer to the mat doesn’t necessarily mean you are more enlightened. My head, miles from the mat, feels very enlightened—in part because I’ve let go of

is a bustling coffeehouse with a robust menu; We popped in to try the very decadent and often soldout alfajor (a.k.a. dulche de leche sandwich cookie). Up the hill in Artisan Square, Artisan Eats Café is a community hub for locals—if you ask aloud how yesterday’s soup was, odds are another customer will answer.

DRINK

Across the street from Nectar Yoga Retreat is Bowen Cider House, a cidery serving family recipes in rustic, warm digs. The

the belief that my analytical brain makes me incompatible with this space, and in part because I’ve noticed that my husband is wearing a pair of my socks, solving a months-long mystery. Twisted up to my maximum, I breathe deeply and train my gaze on his left sole, where the soft cotton of my sock heel is firmly stretched across his foot’s arch. Instead of feeling annoyed, I feel satisfied. Peaceful, even. It’s not traditional enlightenment, but it’s something.

I carry that vibe through our breakfast of golden milk yogurt (a colour achieved by mixing the yogurt up with turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and honey), granola, fruit and a scone. Lynne appears again to draw a card from an oracle deck and read it aloud for all of us to contemplate and carry with us beyond checkout time. It’s the Messenger. I know that cards like this can be interpreted many ways, but it feels extra serendipitous for me: after all, as a writer, sharing this story is part of why I’m here in the first place. That, and to relax, recharge and look inward—to immerse myself in a practice and a community that’s foreign to me, to challenge my initial judgements. And to figure out where all my socks went.

outdoor patio is a summer hot spot, but they recently opened an indoor lounge, too. On the day we visited, the lounge smelled like apple pie, an amazing sensory teaser for the drinks (as were the old-school tractor and harvest videos projected on a loop). My favourite was the semi-dry Estate Blend, my husband’s was the semi-sweet Ugly Apples Gala. Here, cider flows through the food, too: the Cider House soup that day was a twist on French onion made with Granny Cowan’s cider, which is also used to braise the veggies atop the bratwurst (cider and hot dogs are an underrated combo).

BIKE

Bowen eBikes CEO Brendan Robertson will give you a lock, but don’t fret about it too much—this island biz hasn’t had a theft in six years of operation. I can’t be convinced that there’s any better way to navigate Bowen than on an

e-bike: electric assist makes the steep hills a breeze, and you’re fully immersed in the natural beauty of the island. We cycle all the way to the opposite end, which takes less than an hour, ditching our bikes at Collingwood Lane Park and walking the idyllic cliffside path to the Bowen Island Whale Trail site. We see no whales, but several dogs gallop along the beach. And, sure enough, as we trudge up from our hike, the bikes are waiting to take us back. If screaming with joy as you coast downhill past donkey-dotted acreages is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

Into the Woods

Sonora Resort is the epitome of West Coast luxury—but despite the creature comforts, the eco-lodge still manages to keep things wonderfully wild.

By Stacey McLachlan

“

They’re more interested in the salmon than you.” It’s a promise our guide Cheyenne has made a number of times over the course of her Homalco Wildlife grizzly tour, and we simply have to believe it’s true—otherwise, my husband Max and I are doing something truly stupid, which is standing 30 feet away from a grizzly bear and her cub.

OK, it’s really not that dangerous. There’s a wide and rushing river between us and Mama Bear after all, and the Homalco First Nation, which runs the tour at the tip of Bute Inlet, has cultivated their understanding of (and respect for) grizzly behaviour over years of interactions—but part of the excitement of a wildlife experience like this is remembering there’s a reason this opportunity is so rare. Typically, a person who gets to see a grizzly this close is about to find themselves in some serious trouble. Today, the biggest actual threat Max and I face as we stand a mere stone’s throw away from the West Coast’s most majestic creature is that we might get into a fight over our shared pair of binoculars and have to get divorced.

Over the course of four hours, we journey through the mossy rainforest in a (presumably bear-proof) van in search of more encounters. Sometimes Cheyenne will pull over and we’ll hop out to peer over a bridge at a scruffy, meandering beast lazily scooping up lunch from the water with her basketball-sized paw. Other times we’ll clamber up an observation tower and wait, still and patient, to see if a black-nosed snout will

Sonora Resort (5); bear: Wynn Powell; fishing: Robin O’Neil; illustrations: Jeksonjs/Adobe Stock; icon:

Turgay

The Water’s Edge Sonora Resort (above) is a quick (scenic!) helicopter ride away from YVR. The property has mineral pools (left) along with myriad hot tubs, but before you get to soaking, there’s plenty to explore: stick to the property to take advantage of the tennis court, games room and fire pits, or head out onto the ocean for fishing excursions (bottom left), wildlife tours or even a grizzly expedition (below).

poke through the brambles that line the river. When we spy one, it’s like a celebrity has arrived at a party: excited whispers sweep through the tour group. When we don’t catch a glimpse, our consolation prize is still pretty great: a moment of attentive quiet in the West Coast wilderness.

It feels almost surreal to be here—where the wild things are, as it were—given that just an hour earlier Max and I were relaxing in a hot tub near the head of this inlet at the Discovery Island’s Sonora Resort, getting some not-at-all-needed rest after a five-star helicopter ride from YVR. Of course, there are plenty of other ways to get up close and personal with nature that don’t involve Relais and Châteaux accommodations. But for two verified city slickers who do not and will not own a tent, Sonora is the opportunity we’ve been dreaming of to have our cake and eat it too (which, in this case, means getting to watch a 300-pound bear yawn and stretch in a sunbeam and then falling asleep in a plush king-sized bed).

We famously—famously!—are not campers, a very un-Vancouver fact we bonded over on our first date. We have hiked together maybe twice in our 12-year relationship. It’s not that we hate nature; it’s just that I am more of a beach gal and he is too busy planning something called a “Bird of the Decade

It’s

Party” (real example) to actually go out and see birds in the flesh (er, the feather).

But when we city slickers do venture into the woods, we absolutely understand the fuss. Who can resist a lungful of cedarfresh air, or the pleasantly springy feeling of walking on an earthen path thick with pine needles? When you’re privileged enough to be able to witness the humble routine of a glorious, glossy-coated beast, a creature that is somehow adorable and terrifying at once, how can you feel anything but awe?

Here’s the thing that Max and I are bravely proving as we hop back on the boat to Sonora after racking up seven grizzly sightings: you can appreciate the call of the wild, and the call of an award-winning wine cellar. You can be enraptured by the locally sourced fourcourse tasting menu served up each night by chef Justine Smith in the elegant wood-andglass dining room, and be delighted by the sea lions splashing playfully in the bay below.

So, please, soak up the calls of the cormorants that bounce across the water as you soak in the mineral pools at the Island Current Spa before your sea salt and kelp body scrub treatment. Go ahead and rip through the Arran and Dent rapids on a Zephyr alongside porpoises and curious seals, and then keep the wildlife watch going through your picture window as you relax in your

extra-deep bathtub. You can have it all: fivestar comfort and intimate nature encounters, all in the same day.

The all-inclusive nature of the resort ensures your every need is cared for... which means our only priority is identifying bird calls and pointing out a splash here or there in the harbour. While campers are out there somewhere worrying about finding firewood or heating up their dehydrated mac ’n’ cheese before nightfall or whatever else is running through their heads as they lie on a damp and quietly deflating air mattress, Max and I step off the boat and onto the dock, purely in the moment.

We settle in at our favourite spot on the patio (yes, we’ve only been here a day, but we’ve made ourselves at home). The sun is peeking out from behind the clouds, making the water sparkle. Max orders an old fashioned; I get a glass of crisp Vancouver Island Brewing lager (with a lime, because vacation). We share a plate of local cheeses and honeycomb for a little sustenance; we just survived a bear encounter, after all. He points out a flock of ducks riding the waves. I spy minks scampering up the rocks. We’ll head up to our room in the stone-and-cedar lodge soon, and will be drifting off to sleep tucked under a goosedown duvet—but we’ll be doing it with visions of grizzlies dancing in our heads. Nature is calling, and from our luxurious little perch, we’re more than happy to answer.

Double-occupancy rooms at Sonora Resort start at $2,450 per night during peak season, with meals, beverages and amenities included; wilderness excursions and spa treatments priced separately. Air transport from YVR is $745 per person each way. sonoraresort.com

Sonora Resort (5); illustrations: Jeksonjs/Adobe Stock

Lodge Life

hard to find a place at Sonora that doesn’t have a beautiful waterfront view: even the spa treatment rooms (above) overlook the ocean. The dining room (bottom left) is a prime, picturesque spot to taste the bounty of the West Coast, as featured in an always-fresh tasting menu by chef Justine Smith (bottom right).

Keeping It PG

The Ancient Forest is a vital stop for Prince George travellers—avid hikers and amateurs alike.

By Alyssa Hirose

Being able to walk among the red cedar trees of the Ancient Forest (Chun T’oh Whudujut) feels like a privilege. Not just because areas like this—with towering thousand-year-old evergreens as far as the eye or iPhone can see—are increasingly rare, but also because the ground I’m treading was literally built by hand.

The Ancient Forest Trail, starting just over an hour’s drive from Prince George, is a roughly 2.5-kilometre “boardwalk”: a combination of wide dock-like paths, wooden steps and long, shingled planks elevated from the forest floor. The path, hand-built by conservationists, gives locals and visitors safe access to the area, and in turn protects the rich and biodiverse earth from being obliterated by hiking boots. Plus, it’s reasonably accessible: I meet “hikers” of various ages and abilities on the trail, many of them in jeans.

The city of Prince George is often overlooked by those travelling British Columbia. It’s not known for sexy restaurants or a buzzy downtown core like southern neighbours Vancouver or Victoria. But for picturesque views of historic waterways, tremendous trees and skyscraper-free horizons, Prince George rules, royally. (Oh, and there are actually plenty of great restos to add to your weekend getaway checklist: see page 80.) The Ancient Forest Trail is one of many beautiful pathways through the gorgeous landscape that B.C.—and Canada itself—is often celebrated for. But unlike more daunting trails, this trek is the ideal combo of undisturbed nature and walkability: it’s wilderness, but well-marked. Navigating it doesn’t require the skills of a hardcore survivalist—though many of its stewards, past and present, are.

The trail is in the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, and this

My visit to the Ancient Forest was guided by Lheidli T’enneh Elder Clifford Quaw, a residential school survivor who generously shared facts about the environment, poignant life stories and old-guy jokes (many of the pull-my-finger variety). Learning more about the Lheidli T’enneh and the history of the land is an essential part of any PG adventure—read up at lheidli.ca

Local Getaways PRINCE

Foodie Tour in the Forest

Three spots to eat in Prince George.

NORTHERN

LIGHTS ESTATE WINERY

This riverside winery asks, “Why let grapes have all the fun?” and boldly bottles up fruits like strawberries, blackberries, rhubarb and blackcurrant. The tasting room offers sweet samplers and wall-to-wall waterfront views, and the Riverside Restaurant runs the gamut from fish tacos to steak. 745 Prince George Pulpmill Rd., northernlightswinery.ca

BETULLA BURNING

Get on the food-sharing level with your fellow diner(s) before going to this Neapolitanstyle pizza joint, because you’re going to want to try several of these saucy wood-fired pies. I opted for the Carne Amore (sausage, pepperoni, smoked bacon, you get it) and stole a slice or three of someone else’s Big Kahuna (smoked pork shoulder and pineapple). 1253 3rd Ave., betullaburning.com

TRENCH BREWING AND DISTILLING

Catch flights and feelings at this rustic restaurant— the 1000 Peaks Witbier is fruit-forward and fun, while the Viking Amber Ale has a subtle hint of caramel. I got the smoked beef dip on a pretzel bun, and had a meaningful love affair with my side of mini mac and cheese. 399 2nd Ave., trenchbrew.ca

Chasing Waterfalls

One of the greatest highlights of the Ancient Forest Trail is the waterfall—it’s near the start of the two-ish kilometre loop, and proof that you don’t need to scale a mountain to score a beautiful view.

forest was once a hot spot for gathering medicinal plants (before residential schools had a devastating impact on this and other Lheidli T’enneh ways of life). Then, it was doomed to be logged... until 2005, when University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) student Dave Radies took a special interest in the colossal red cedars, and conservationists got on board. Thanks to joint efforts from the Lheidli T’enneh, UNBC and local hiking groups, it was named a Class A provincial park in 2016, three years after the ultra-accessible path was built by a team of volunteers that hauled in and secured every step.

As I navigate the wood planks and steady stairs of the Ancient Forest Trail, signs point out the impressive waterfall, the stunning buttress roots of “Treebeard” and the “Radies Tree” and the apparently very big “Big Tree” (which, from ground level, I’ll admit looks no taller than the others—they’re all equally majestic). Besides the clear path that keeps all visitors sure-footed and the forest floor safe, the Ancient Forest feels like sincere immersion in nature. It’s about as true north as it gets.

More Things to Do in Prince George

SPACE OUT

Nestled into the spectacular domed rotating roof of the Prince George Astronomical Observatory is one of the largest amateur telescopes in the country. There are open houses by donation every Friday: stargaze, learn what makes supernovas so super and nerd out with the experts. pgrasc.org

PADDLE HAPPY

Backwater Paddling offers kayaking lessons off of West Lake Beach: count on your delightfully no-nonsense tour guide to teach the basics, point out wildlife and help you stay as dry as possible. backwater.ca

BURN RUBBER

Life is all about balance, so after taking in the quiet serenity of the forest, indulge your inner child with go-karting, axethrowing and mini golf at the Raceway Fun Park . There’s a drive-in movie theatre, too. racewayfunpark.com

things to do, left to right: Malhar R. Kendurkar, president of Prince George Astronomical Observatory, Blackday/Adobe Stock, Alyssa Hirose

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3 Fashion

I feel a strong connection between fashion and interior design, and I love finding ways to imbue my design with lots of fashion inspirations. Vogue Italia is a staple, and period dramas like The Crown , Boardwalk Empire and Elizabeth I are not just great watches but also incredible costume references. We often refer to accessories like hardware and lighting as jewellery for the home, and who doesn’t love putting together a really great outfit?

1

Creative Collabs

The only thing better than work travel is work travel with my creative director, Lauren Bugliarisi (far left). Creating with Lauren is just a match made in design heaven. Whether we’re exploring the architecture of Milan or having lively debates in our studio, we can push each other to create truly special design and have so much fun in the process.

Designer Tanja Breadner of Marrimor on the

6 Things That Keep Her Inspired

4

Treasure Hunting

My personal style walks the line between vintage and modern, so I love thrifting for vintage jewellery and interesting objects that hold a lot of personality and history. Thrift and vintage markets in Italy and France are hotbeds of creative inspiration. Locally, I love a yearly trip to Scott Landon Antiques. My husband takes me here for my birthday, and it’s always the perfect treat.

2

Pet Therapy

My daily dose of joy is my dog, Izzy. Nature walks, fun runs and even just watching her enjoy life are simple pleasures I can’t imagine living without. Izzy and I are both quite active, and I often find myself subconsciously solving design problems when we are out on the trails.

6

Lo Sereno, Troncones

I absolutely love to travel and explore new places, and this boutique hotel in Mexico is a perfect paradise with amazing food and the best piña colada I’ve ever tasted.

5 Music

The right music can really get the creative juices flowing, and I like to have an eclectic variety. The Marrimor studio is no stranger to ’90s ballads, but I can jam to anything from Gene Harris to Robben Ford. My number one musical love will always be The Rolling Stones. Seeing them live never gets old—and neither do they!

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