Idon’t know about you, but once the warm weather arrives, I just want to spend every possible moment outdoors, especially when it comes to cooking and dining. But sadly for me, I don’t have a fancy outdoor kitchen, just my old basic black Weber charcoal grill, which, after more than two hard-working decades, has finally started to show its age.
That grill has been the centrepiece of dozens of dinners and parties. I’ve cooked everything from hot dogs to spot prawns to peaches on it. I’ve used it as a smoker for pulled pork, tucked whole eggplants into its ashy coals to make baba ghanoush, and I’ve grilled bread, so much bread, on it — pita for hummus and sliced baguettes for bruschetta and brioche rolls for smashburgers.
I love entertaining outdoors, the relaxed, meandering pace with no pressure to be perfect or hit any deadlines. I also get a kick out of all the other accoutrements you need for hosting guests on the back deck: the chairs and tables, umbrellas for shade, cushions and throws for comfort, those Thermacell gadgets for driving the skeeters away and layered lighting so you can see what you’re doing after the sun goes down. Besides, you can have fun with colours and patterns, especially when it comes to dishware and glassware and all the other tabletop paraphernalia.
Most of all, I love the way the grill functions as a literal hearth, gathering people round it, its fragrant smoke an invitation to join the party and the promise of something delicious once you get there.
Over COVID, that grill was a lifesaver. During those long months when we all entertained outside no matter how cold it got, I gathered friends and family around it, feeding them and nourishing our need for connection. I still love nothing more than standing over the glowing coals, turning asparagus spears or pressing down on a burger to get that perfect crunchy crust, while chatting and catching up. Because charcoal grilling takes time, it’s one of the few chances I get to truly slow down.
Over the years, the Weber barely needed any maintenance beyond scrubbing out a layer of mould and replacing the blackened grill each spring. Then, during the 2021 heat dome, the wheels melted right off. The first signs of rust began to appear after that year’s relentless rains. And when we moved in 2022, the lid’s handle was squashed in the process. Now it’s only a matter of time before it snaps right off.
So the other day, I ordered a new grill, same as the old grill, only this one is a lovely dark olive green. It’s still not the fancy and well-equipped outdoor kitchen of my dreams, but I’m looking forward to another couple of decades of long, lingering outdoor dinners with friends, savouring everything that’s most delicious about summer.
Joanne Sasvari, Editor-in-Chief
A snapshot of SPRUCE magazine’s DesignHeads 2025 — an unforgettable evening of design inspiration, expert insights and delicious bites! Many thanks to everyone who helped to make this evening possible.
PHOTOS: MEGAN WILSON
PUBLISHERS Lise Gyorkos Georgina Camilleri
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joanne Sasvari
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Jeffrey Bosdet
LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER Janice Hildybrant
ASSOCIATE
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kelly Hamilton
ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Deana Brown Jennifer Dean Van Tol Cynthia Hanischuk Brenda Knapik
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ON THE COVER The Art of Light, p. 32
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VICTORIA’S
SUMMER STYLE
Sit Down — Way Down
We all know that sitting is bad for you. But not in the Floor Chair Comfort. According to the folks at Reforest Design on Salt Spring Island, the idea behind their stylishly stubby bamboo chair is that sitting closer to the ground helps maintain a natural spine position, reduces strain on the joints and eventually leads to better posture. It also looks very cool. Reforest Design is the brainchild of founder Ewelina Pankowska and cofounder Peter Byrne, who are inspired by Japanese and mid-century modern esthetics and make their high-quality, sustainable bamboo furniture right on Salt Spring. Available at Luxe Home Interiors. reforestdesign.com
Get in Line
STRIPES JUST SAY SUMMER. NO WONDER THEY MAKE THE BEST OUTDOOR DÉCOR.
We’re a little obsessed with stripes here at Spruce We love how they always look so fresh but so classic at the same time, and how with just a slight variation in colour or width they can go from a nautical mood to chicly French, romantically Regency, elegantly formal or vintage country. Most of all, stripes are the pattern of summer. They’re cool, crisp, casual, jaunty and fun — and ideal for all your patio, lakeside and beach accoutrements.
1. TOWELS FOR ALL > You can never have too many beach towels, and we’re especially loving these striped and tasseled ones from West Elm. They’re made in Portugal of luxuriously soft tufted cotton, with pretty, playful tassels, and come in four perfectly summery hues. westelm.ca
2. CUTE CUSHIONS > The easiest way to refresh your space is by swapping out your cushions. Check out the bold awning-striped ones from Pottery Barn, which come in four shapes and sizes and sun-resistant Sunbrella fabric. potterybarn.ca
3. RIVIERA VIBES > There are plenty of great options for adding shade to your space (see our story on page 48 for ideas), but we especially love the retro romance of the umbrellas from Business & Pleasure Co. They come in a multitude of stripes in vintage-y pastels, some with scalloped or fringed edges, or both. You can find a selection of these umbrellas at InsideOut Homestore, but for even more options, visit businessandpleasureco.com
4. A COZY THROW > In Victoria, even the warmest days often end in cool nights. That’s why we love the luxuriously soft Cirrus organic cotton throws by Coyuchi — they’re perfect for tossing over your shoulders and bundling up when those chilly breezes blow in. Available in four fashion-forward colours with banded white stripes at Resthouse. resthousesleep.com
5. A PRETTY PITCHER > Whether you’re serving lemonade or batch-made Margaritas, you need a pitcher. Maybe several. One to try: this chicly striped Costa Nova Mar ceramic pitcher by Portuguese artist Luisa Paixão. It comes in six stylish, handpainted colours (blue, red, yellow, green, black and turquoise) that will brighten up any table — plus there are matching plates, bowls, coffee mugs, serving spoons and more. luisa-paixao.us
6. A COOLER COOLER > You need a cooler for all your thirst-quenching beverages, so why not make it a stylish one? The Packable Striped Cooler Bag from Local Beach can hold more than 12 cans, keeps ice from melting all day and has an outer zip for your phone and other essentials. Perfect for the beach, lake house, patio or poolside. localbeach.com
Shower Power GO ON, MAKE A SPLASH.
Say you’ve just returned, all sandy from the beach, or sweaty from a run, or muddy from gardening. Or say you’re about to pop into the sauna or hot tub, or just want to cool down afterwards. That’s when you could really use an outdoor shower. They’re practical if you don’t want to drag dirt indoors with you, but they’re also refreshing on a sweltering day. Plus you can zhuzh them up with beautiful décor as well as other features such as seating, lighting and privacy screens, and make your shower a special feature of your backyard.
Above: The Cane-line Lagoon outdoor shower, available at Gabriel Ross. grshop.com
Right: Western red cedar outdoor shower handcrafted in Canada by Manitoba-based Northern Lights Hot Tubs & Saunas. cedarbarrelsaunas.com
SPRUCE IT UP
Savour Your Greens
THIS SEASON WE’RE LOVING KITCHEN GEAR IN THE HUES OF MEDITERRANEAN VEGGIES.
We can’t get enough of soft, greyish greens, those moody shades of sage and olive and artichoke, especially in the kitchen. Here’s how to add some of that Mediterranean flavour to your own space.
Bountiful Bowls
Everyone needs a great serving dish, or two, or three, especially when it’s as earthy-but-elegant as Casafina’s Pacific stoneware bowl or platter in artichoke. These dishes are freezer, oven, microwave and dishwasher safe, meaning that you can use them for frosty ice cream and hot potatoes alike. Available at Fan Tan Home. fantanvictoria.com
Tidy Up
Who says a tea towel has to be plain and boring? Not us! The French company Coucke has been making its luxe jacquard and printed cotton tea towels since 1931, and we’re especially partial to its Provençal and culinary motifs, like L’olivier de provence. Find Coucke tea towels at Muffet & Louisa. coucke.com
Sweet Spoons
With their lustrous, pearlized acrylic handles, Bugatti’s Arianna serving spoons add glamour to any table setting. Available in a range of colours, including the chartreuse shown here, at The Tuscan Kitchen. thetuscankitchen.com
Countertop Whiz
When your toaster, kettle, juice fountain and smart oven are as beautiful as Breville’s Olive Tapenade line, you won’t want to park them in an appliance garage. These luxe gadgets come in matte-finish dark olive green with brass details and all the smart technology bells and whistles. breville.com
Casserole To Go
Bring the most stylish casserole to your next potluck with Le Creuset’s limited-edition Olive Branch lidded rectangular stoneware baking dish in “artichaut.” It’s practical and versatile, but we especially love the refined olive branch motif. lecreuset.ca
Martha Stewart’s Gardening Handbook
by Martha Stewart (HarperCollins)
This comprehensive guide from the queen of everything home is packed with all you need to know to create a beautiful, bountiful garden, from planning to soil testing to choosing the right plants. As Stewart says: “If you want to be happy for a year, get married. If you want to be happy for a decade, get a dog. And if you want to be happy for the rest of your life, make a garden.”
The Waterfront House: Living with Style on the Coast
by Phoebe Howard (Harry N. Abrams)
Be warned: This book is sure to unleash serious home envy. It features a gorgeous collection of homes for all who love the seashore, from an expert at creating designs that reflect the elegance and appeal of oceanfront living. Its pages are awash with soothing blues, greens and sandy neutrals, in homes grand and simple, pretty and practical, and always designed to be enjoyed.
The Maximalist: Colorful Interiors for Bold Living
by Dani Dazey (Harry N. Abrams)
Even if you’re not personally up for filling your home with colour, texture, playful patterns and kooky furnishings, just gazing upon these joyful images will raise your dopamine levels. Dazey is an authority on maximalist style and showcases 16 of her projects, each of them infused with her signature vintage-inspired flair, quirky custom furniture, unique graphic designs, bright colour palettes and wallpaper, so much wallpaper.
DESIGN INSPO
Illustrating a Lifetime
Design collaboration highlights the small moments at home.
BY SUSAN HOLLIS
There are so many unnoticed moments that happen in a day, and so many unremarkable days that take place in a lifetime. Much of this happens at home — a quiet cup of coffee before work, homework, meals. To acknowledge and honour the dayto-day, Victoria interior designer Pamela Billinghurst collaborated with Vancouver illustrator and artist Renske Werner and design store Gabriel Ross to create A Lifetime, a series of vignettes that capture the arc of a family’s life in playful rotation.
In A Lifetime, Werner’s intentionally imperfect line-art drawings are projected onto a dining-room table in a curated room framed by the store’s massive bay window on Government Street, allowing the viewer to experience the animated flow of imagery as it appears on the table’s surface.
“The conceptual framework of the vignette was built on the idea that life is constantly changing and transforming,” says Billinghurst, who spent a year creating and refining the concept. “We wanted to go beyond a static display and bring the objects to life by giving them a sense of movement and energy. Our goal was to create a connection between viewers and the objects in the space, highlighting the relationship between design and human experience.”
This is the second installation held by Gabriel Ross with the goal of publicly and creatively promoting the design and architecture community. Though the company has long worked closely with this sector, its move to the flagship store on Government Street provides a new opportunity to showcase the city’s talent.
“The essence of these collaborations is to empower the imaginative vision of the talented interior designers and architects within our local community,” says Siavash Madani,
partner and interior designer at Gabriel Ross. “In doing so, we not only showcase their ingenuity, but also create a valuable opportunity to cross-pollinate our respective clienteles, expanding their horizons and inspiring new possibilities.”
Werner met Billinghurst in 2023, when the designer reached out via Instagram to commission a family portrait. A friendship was born, and Werner was the first person Billinghurst thought of when she started brainstorming for the project. With children of a similar age and a shared creative energy, the two easily connected over their day-to-day
lives as working parents. And Werner’s distinct and detailed line art was a good match for the vignettes Billinghurst imagined.
“I definitely thought of my kids and how they would play with their hands when being spoonfed — the little hand that pushes over that toy seems like such a real-life moment,” says Werner of her work on the project. “I think the animation as a whole is something we all identify with. Who hasn’t had a dinner party, a quiet breakfast with a book or a birthday cake? It’s these things, the inbetween moments of our life, that I treasure.”
Dreaming an idea to life isn’t always as simple as it may seem, and in this case figuring out how
For the installation of A Lifetime at Gabriel Ross, designer Pamela Billinghurst created the setting, while artist Renske Werner added the illustrations that are projected on the table.
to project the illustrations onto a curated diningroom table in a room filled with objects that match the art took some creative thinking. Gabriel Ross operations manager Stuart Taylor relied on his background in audio-visual technical design to help Billinghurst and her team bring the room to life.
“Doing it all without it actually existing was tricky,” he says, adding that this was his first projection project of this kind. “It’s a fun interaction, to work with the design community and do a semi-technical thing in our showroom. I am occasionally at the store late at night or at dusk and people do get stuck there in the window staring at it for a minute or two. It’s a fun little thing, it draws people in.”
CONTRIBUTORS
Location: Gabriel Ross, 1319 Government Street
Interior design: Pamela Billinghurst
Interior Design
Illustration: Renske Werner
Photography: Mary McNeill Knowles Creative
Videography: Shelter Film Co.
Furniture, lighting, accessories: Gabriel Ross
Electrical Installation: Yonder Light Electric
Drapery: Behind The Glass
Floral design: Folklore Floral
PHOTOS: MARY MCNEILL KNOWLES
GARDENS
BY CAROLYN CAMILLERI
Big, Beautiful Blooms
With their lush, fluffy textures, peonies, cabbage roses and ranunculi are all the rage right now.
There’s something romantic and old-fashioned about big, soft, round flowers with abundant petals. It’s a look that gardeners and designers love right now, but even better, growing these big, blossoming beauties can be such a joy. Here’s what you need to know if you plan to add them to your own garden.
MAGNIFICENT PEONIES
Peonies are wonderful plants, and I make no secret of my enthusiasm for them. Most peonies are herbaceous perennials that die down every year, with the notable exception of tree peonies, which are excellent shrubs. Once herbaceous peonies are established, which may take a couple of years, they reward with big, luscious flowers year after year after year — for decades.
While most peonies like full sun, some do fine in partial shade. Plant peonies in the fall into well-drained soil in the garden and leave them there — peonies don’t like to be moved.
Some varieties can be planted in big pots in the spring, and — fingers crossed — they may survive the winter if you move the pots somewhere sheltered.
Except for adding a bit of fertilizer in the spring, you can mostly leave peonies to grow and be glorious. Some varieties have big, heavy flowers that need staking. If you notice signs of fungus, trim away the affected areas. Cut flowers at the base of the stem. When the plant dies down in the fall, cut it to the ground and layer on some mulch to protect the roots.
Bartzella peony
BIG BLOSSOMS, FAST
If you want the rewards of big, fluffy blooms without waiting for them to grow, pick up some that are already potted and blooming, like these three easy additions to your garden or apartment balcony.
Begonias will perk up a patio or flower bed with wonderfully colourful blossoms all summer long, even in shady locations.
Zinnias are another reliable sun-loving, big-blooming option available in an array of colours and shapes from late spring until fall.
Dahlias will give you that fluffy flower look and come in many different shapes, sizes and colours. They bloom from mid-summer to the first fall frost.
CABBAGE ROSES AND THEIR MANY LOOKALIKES
Cabbage roses, a.k.a. Rosa x centifolia, are classic, old-world flowers — there is even a painting of Marie Antoinette holding one. They do kind of look like cabbages, with their big round, fragrant heads of ruffled petals. (“Centifolia” means 100 petals.) They are also notable for blooming just once a year in the spring.
But before you commit to a Rosa x centifolia, know that there are literally thousands of rose varieties, including many lookalikes, such as the Damascena and Grandiflora varieties. Consider the exquisite, renowned David Austin English roses, which are hybrids of old varieties with modern features like repeat blooming, more colours and disease resistance.
As for the care of roses, well, there is a reason “the queen of flowers” is a lifelong passion for aficionados throughout history. In general, roses like sun, well-drained soil and space and air to breathe. They don’t like being wet and any sign of disease, pests or damage must be addressed, pronto. Pruning depends on the variety, age of the plant and its canes, and the direction the branches are growing. Roses are also particular about which plants grow near them.
Roses may take extra effort, but they are a very worthy, rewarding hobby. Think about what you want — shrub or climber, flower shape and size, colour and fragrance — and take your list to a nursery. With roses, you are making a very personal choice.
A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME
RANUNCULUS ASIATICUS, A.K.A. PERSIAN BUTTERCUPS
Ranunculus asiaticus is a trendy flower these days, showing up in all its lavish, crepe-paper-like glory at weddings and in gardens. Ranunculi grow from corms available from nurseries and specialty suppliers alongside other tubers, corms and bulbs like dahlias, gladiolus, freesias, crocuses, lilies and begonias.
Ranunculi are quite easy to grow if you start by soaking the corms in water for two to three hours (no more than four hours), then planting them in a sunny spot in early spring once all risk of frost has passed.
You can also pre-sprout them, which speeds things up. Soak them first, then lay them out on a tray and cover them with about an inch of potting soil. Store the tray in a dark, unheated place (i.e., the garage). They should have little white sprouts after about 10 days. Plant them, sprouts down, about eight to 10 inches apart in loose soil.
Some gardeners treat them like annuals, and replant new corms every year. Others gently dig up the corms once the plants have died down in the fall and store them until spring.
And still others buy them as plants in the spring for immediate floral happiness.
Caring for Ranunculus asiaticus is easy. It likes warm sunny days, but not scorching hot weather. Water in the morning to keep the soil moist, but not soggy, and avoid getting the leaves and flowers wet. Deadheading may encourage more blossoms. They are great cut flowers: Cut the base of the stem when the buds are coloured and squishy like a marshmallow, but not fully open.
If you are seeking a lush, old-fashioned rose for your garden, here are a few to consider:
• Summer Romance: Large, perfumed double blooms in a velvety pink.
• Forever Amber: An English-style rose with lushly petalled flowers in a warm apricot colour.
• Sweet Mademoiselle: A very fragrant hybrid tea rose with large, full, double blooms that range from peachy-pink to apricot.
• Top Cream: A tall hybrid tea with large, creamy-white blooms on long stems that are perfect for cutting.
• State of Grace: Sunset hues that range from pink to gold to copper.
• Princess Charlene de Monaco: A fluffy and fragrant Romantica hybrid tea, with 100plus ruffled apricot to shell pink petals per bloom.
Labyrinth dahlia
GABI BUCATARU/STOCKSY
HOW TO
BY CAROLYN CAMILLERI
Light Up Your Backyard
Enhance the magic of summer evenings on the patio with these easy DIY lighting projects.
When Joshua Julien, co-owner of Light Right Outdoor Lighting, is contacted for a landscape light project, he starts with questions about what the homeowner wants to achieve, followed by a meeting to walk the property and identify features to highlight and areas to hide.
“Then I’ll create a lighting design and we’ll go over the design — where the fixtures are going, what fixtures we’re going to use,” he says.
Some fixtures spread light downward, while others focus light upward. Light output can also be designed to draw your eyes to or away from certain features or areas.
Let’s say you have a gorgeous Garry oak on your property.
“I’d probably have more light on that, then some dimmer lights around it, so you don’t have one big, bright spot. Your eyes follow the light, but then centre on the feature,” says Julien, adding that he would also put lighting higher up in the tree so it shines down through the branches and casts beautiful shadows, an effect called moonlighting.
What you want to avoid is one very bright light on a large object or a series of bright spots. Instead, mix low light with focal-point light to create a more constant effect that’s comforting to see.
While good lighting is certainly functional and can boost curb appeal, deter intruders and prevent injuries, it is also artistic and influences our emotions.
“I often tell people to think of it like a painting. It takes a lot of brush strokes to make a painting,” he says. “Same with lighting — a lot of fixtures at lower light levels instead of one big bright light.”
It’s a process and perspective to consider even for simple DIY projects like the ones on the following pages.
The most effective way to install backyard lighting is to layer it at different levels, as shown here with these Kichler Lighting fixtures, available at Victoria’s Wes-Tech Irrigation Systems.
Go Underground
An underground lighting project is perfect for flower beds or along a pathway.
Outdoor bistro lights and simple underground sets are 12-volt systems that require a transformer that plugs into a GFCI outlet and steps voltage down from 120 to 12. DIY light kits may or may not come with transformers, so be sure to check.
In general, transformers are mounted and cannot be used with extension cords. Read instructions carefully to ensure you have the tools needed and that the kit you want reaches from your power supply to the area you want to light. Unless you have experience with wire splicing, look for 12-volt underground kits that don’t require it — there are lots.
“A 12-volt outdoor wire is direct burial, so you can bury it underground,” says Julien. “We always aim for a trench of six to eight inches so you don’t hit the wire when you’re gardening.”
HOW TO SET UP UNDERGROUND LIGHTING
According to This Old House (thisoldhouse.com), the basic steps for an underground system look like this (though they may vary depending on kit instructions):
1. Plan the design, including where the wires will go.
2. Install or mount the transformer near a GFCI outdoor outlet.
3. Lay the main line out from the transformer to the area you want lighted.
4. Place the fixtures and connect them to the main line using connectors supplied with the kit. Test to ensure they all work, then unplug the transformer before you continue.
5. Using the lines as your map, dig trenches six to eight inches deep and bury the cable.
6. Test the system and adjust the fixture positioning and brightness as needed.
Go Overhead
Bistro lights, a.k.a. café lights, are those strings of soft lights strung over a table from eaves, arranged along a railing or fence, or hung from stands designed for the purpose.
“For an outdoor space, especially in a do-it-yourself situation, they would be a very easy, achievable solution,” Julien says. “They give a really good ambient light for the general area.”
Bistro lights come in all kinds of styles and can be anchored in wood, concrete or stucco. Stands can be purchased and pushed into the ground like a pitchfork or mounted on wood or concrete. The project is entirely above ground.
Something that’s often overlooked with home lighting systems is maintenance. At least once a year, wipe down the fixtures, clean the lenses and trim plants that have overgrown the fixtures.
Other Easy Options
If you want to avoid wires and electricity altogether, you may want to look at solar lights, which are available in many beautiful, easy-to-install options. The downside? They need sunlight to charge.
“We tend to avoid solar-powered because it’s not reliable enough, really,” says Julien. “In Victoria, you tend to get a shorter use out of them just with our seasonality and our cloud coverage, so they often disappoint.”
However, solar lights can be moved easily and may help in the planning stages before stepping up to a wired-in system.
Battery-operated outdoor lights also come in a wide range of options, including some very attractive table lamps, as well as fun, novelty styles.
“There are some higher-end ones that are coming out now, wireless lanterns, and I would recommend those for outdoor kitchens or on a table,” says Julien. “They charge for six hours and they last 12 hours, and they’re quite elegant looking and give off a nice, soft light.”
LIGHT RIGHT
The Kindred Cordless LED Lantern by Modern Komfort. modernkomfort.ca
While it may be tempting to do a full-scale light plan, Julien advises starting small.
“Until you see it, sometimes it’s hard to fully understand what lighting will do to your property, the emotional impact it has on you at so many different levels,” he says. “Do one area, then expand a bit. You can add on to these systems. You can do everything in phases.”
Bring a whimsical farmhouse vibe to your kitchen with beautifully crafted kitchenware and drinkware from Selbrae House. Their charming oak and slate serving boards are perfect for summer al fresco dining.
POOL PARTY
A MID-CENTURY MODERN POOLHOUSE DESIGN BRINGS SUNNY PALM SPRINGS VIBES TO THE COMOX VALLEY.
BY JOANNE SASVARI | PHOTOS BY KYLE GRAHAM PHOTOGRAPHY
“Palm trees.”
Those two words were all it took for Wayne Truax to envision the perfect poolhouse, the kind of stylish space with clean, modernist lines and sunny functionality that you might see in Palm Springs or L.A.
Truax, the principal of Wayne Truax Designs in Comox, was helping a friend, a landscape designer who was talking to a couple about maybe putting in a pool at
the house they’d bought a year earlier. He’d asked Truax to sit in on a meeting with the clients, to listen and see if he had any ideas.
“The clients had just slightly mentioned palm trees and from that very moment, and because the property was quite large, I immediately had the vision — it took me to Palm Springs and modernism, mid-century design, and I remembered the iconic photo of the house and the pool,” Truax says.
That iconic photo was of architect Richard Neutra’s Kaufmann Desert House. Built in 1946, it has been described as “an architectural marvel that helped define the modernist esthetic of the resort city of Palm Springs.” Truax says: “Immediately the Desert House popped into my head and that was my inspiration for the design. That architecture appealed to me, the clean lines.”
Of course, Comox isn’t Palm Springs, but the homeowners were seeking the same sense of bright, breezy escape that the California city offers. As soon as Truax explained his vision, the clients fell in love with the concept. And two years later, what had started as the vaguest of ideas was stylish reality.
CONCRETE AND CLEAN LINES
Like Neutra’s Desert House, this luxurious poolhouse features clean lines, geometric forms, open spaces and a strong connection between indoor and outdoor living, as well as a smooth, stucco exterior for that serene look typical of mid-century modern style.
It’s built on a strong frame of steel that allows for slender posts to support the roof over the patio without obstructing the view. Large, folding glass doors merge the interior living spaces with poolside patio and outdoor kitchen in a seamless transition from indoors to out.
Inside, walnut-panelled walls in the living and dining areas add warmth to an otherwise cool, open-plan layout with concrete floors and glass shelves. Just steps away, the covered outdoor kitchen is designed for easy meal prep and service. “It’s a completely functional kitchen,” Truax says, adding that it was a particular request by the owners, who love entertaining and dining al fresco. Everything in the poolhouse is designed for interaction and conversation, with a large dining table as the central gathering point.
similar airy design and is designed to seamlessly merge indoor and outdoor living.
Inspired by architect Richard Neutra’s circa-1946 Desert House in Palm Springs, this Comox Valley poolhouse features a
The centrepiece, though, is the pool itself.
A few concrete stairs lead down to the heated year-round pool, which is surrounded by a stone garden and patio with firepit and relaxed seating. The pool was made with insulated concrete forms (ICF), foam blocks that are stacked and filled with concrete, creating a strong and highly insulated wall at a more accessible cost than traditional materials.
“It’s not a common way to build pools, but it turns out to be a very effective way to build pools,” Truax says.
DESIGNED FOR ENTERTAINING
The poolhouse was just the beginning of the project. Partway through construction, the homeowners decided that they also wanted to add on to the house, which was more of a traditional build. Again, Truax came up with a simple, oneword inspiration: orangery.
The result was two elegant, neoclassic additions similar to the type of conservatory you might see at an English heritage home. The first is a bright and inviting living area designed for relaxation and socializing; the second is a spacious new kitchen with sweeping views of the garden. Both are a world away in style from the mid-century modernism of the poolhouse, but somehow they work together.
Above: The year-round pool is the centrepiece of a space designed for socializing, with a firepit and seats perfect for lounging. Mosaic tiles in seafaring shades of blue and aqua add to the midcentury vibe.
Opposite page: At the other end of the pool, designer Wayne Truax took inspiration from a very different sort of indoor-outdoor structure — a neoclassic English-style orangery — for the additions on the main house.
“I wasn’t sure myself, having the contrasting forms in the same space,” Truax says. Perhaps it’s the clean white lines of both structures, or the way they meld so seamlessly with the landscape.
Or maybe, as Truax suggests, it’s how they hint at an ease that more often than not we travel to find. “You are transported immediately to an escape, a vacation in your backyard,” he says. After all, the home is designed to be a retreat for its owners, who like to spend time at the poolhouse, cooking and relaxing, and then, “as day turns to evening, to look at their house and their interpretation of English heritage.”
As for other homeowners who might be considering adding a pool and/or poolhouse to their own backyards, Truax has this advice: “I think that it’s important that, whoever is engaged, they have to understand what their goal is. For this client, it was to relax and escape in their home.”
A pool, he points out, is a luxury item. Before installing one, ask yourself: Is it for family? Is it for entertaining? Is it just for going for a swim? Consider, too, what other features the space needs (for instance, a fitness area, change rooms or outdoor kitchen) and any trends or esthetics that inspire you.
“It’s so helpful for design,” Truax says. “Even a plant. This all came about from the mention of a palm tree.”
UNIQUE BY NATURE
RESOURCE LIST
Project consultant, residential designer and landscape design: Wayne Truax, principal, Wayne Truax Designs, Comox
Windows and folding doors: North Pacific Window & Glass, Qualicum Beach
At Keith Baker Design, we believe that a home is more than just a physical structure. Our business philosophy is to create thoughtful contemporary homes that reflect our clients’ needs and aspirations. Our focus is on healthy and functional living environments that blend seamlessly with nature. We take a fresh, creative and organic approach to design, incorporating authentic materials. Our designs emphasize access to natural light and interrelationships with the environment, prioritizing flowing, comfortable, warm and inviting spaces. By valuing quality and sustainability and drawing on over 40 years of experience creating harmonious relationships, we work closely with our clients to bring their vision to life.
VICTORIA SUITES
We’re here when home isn’t.
What do you do when you can’t stay at home? You call Victoria Suites.
At Victoria Suites (formerly Premiere Suites Victoria) has been helping homeowners find comfort in times of crisis for over 20 years. When a home becomes temporarily uninhabitable due to fire, flood or unexpected damage, Victoria Suites provides beautiful, fully furnished accommodations that offer more than just a place to sleep — they offer peace of mind.
They understand how disruptive it is to suddenly be without a home. That’s why their mission is simple: to take care of their guests. Victoria Suites’ experienced, compassionate team works directly with insurance providers to ensure each stay is covered and stress-free, so clients can focus on getting back on their feet. Why Choose Victoria Suites?
Cost-Effective, Convenient Housing > Victoria Suites offers move-in ready, fully equipped, insurance-approved accommodations. They handle the logistics, so guests don’t have to. Whether the need is for a few weeks or several months, they ensure each stay fits the guest’s needs — and their insurance policy.
A Caring, Supportive Team > Guests are more than just a case number. They are individuals facing life disruptions, and the team at Victoria Suites is committed to making things easier. With 24/7 support, their compassionate staff is always available to answer questions, solve problems and offer assistance.
A Place That Feels Good > Each suite is hand-selected for comfort, safety and aesthetic appeal, and every one is 4-star standard. Featuring warm interiors, full kitchens, in-suite laundry and comfortable living spaces, these accommodations provide space to breathe, recover and regroup.
Pet-Friendly Accommodations > Understanding that pets are family too, Victoria Suites offers many petfriendly options — because no one should have to leave their best friend behind during a difficult time.
Victoria Suites helped shape the standard for extended temporary stays. They know what matters: comfort, flexibility and people who truly care. Everyone deserves to feel at home — even when they’re not.
The stunning Arbour House in Cadboro Bay basks in the beauty of ever-changing sunlight.
BY CARLA SORRELL | PHOTOS BY JAMES DOW/PATKAU ARCHITECTS*
Toni and David agree on a lot of things, but art isn’t one of them. When it came to designing their new home, they knew it would be some time until art would find its way onto the walls. So Toni, a now-retired architect herself, penned a poetic brief that would spark the imagination of any designer. Of her many notes on how the couple would inhabit the house and the relationship they wanted the home to have with the site, one stood out: “Make light the art.”
That’s just what Patkau Architects did.
The result is the Arbour House, its defining feature a pleated wood-slat ceiling that casts undulating light throughout the house, the effect similar to dappled shade with patterns changing daily and seasonally with the sun’s path.
It’s a complex structure that builder Dave Rannala, principal of Rannala Freeborn Construction, describes as a “sort of house origami,” adding: “Patkau doesn’t do a lot of residential, so when they do a home, it’s unique.”
“MAKE LIGHT THE ART.”
The most distinctive feature of the Arbour House designed by Patkau Architects is its slatted wood roof, which allows light to dance throughout the home. Constructing it was “a sort of house origami,” says builder Dave Rannala.
BOLD, IMPACTFUL ARCHITECTURE
“I wanted nature to wander through the house,” says Toni, whose vision was of a home that “raises nature up into the sky” and “blends into nature.”
It’s an ethos that the Vancouver-based Patkau Architects has embraced in its other structures, like the Audain Art Museum in Whistler, with its distinct wood roof, which Toni and David knew and admired. When they approached founding principal John Patkau, his interest was piqued by Toni’s “detailed and elaborate” project brief.
The design concept was inspired by
tailored custom home design firesmart | landscape | energy smart net zero design collaborative design approach single family | multifamily | feasibility
images of grape-covered arbours in the Mediterranean, a close temperate zone to Victoria, resulting in a structure where, Patkau says, “You didn’t really understand inside and outside, because it is continuous.”
A frame-like ceiling was conceptualized, something that would interact with the sun and track light through the house. The team used advanced modelling techniques to predict the exact position of the sun every day, month and season of the year. The wooden ceiling pleats range from 13 feet to only seven-and-a-half feet high, which seemed a bit low to Toni for some of the taller members of the family. But bold, impactful architecture takes a strong vision, and Toni trusted the architects on this one.
To make the design work, Patkau Architects relied on years of research around material operations. (Material Operations also happens to be the title of John Patkau’s 2017 book.)
DREAM REALLY DO COME TRUE
“In its way, [this house] was the most ambitious application of the skills that we had developed doing that research,” Patkau says.
The resulting effect very much captures the cozy feeling Toni and David desired, something she had envisioned as the feeling of “birds snuggling up in their nest.”
A HOUSE FOR MANY
The property itself is a steep, rocky site that sits high above Cadboro Bay, where an original 1927 home had to be removed. Once it was gone, the architects realized that by pushing the house as far back as possible, rather than leaving it in the middle of the site, they could maximize ocean views and “give the street more hill than house” as per Toni’s original brief. (For the garden design, she has collaborated with her son, who has a landscape design and construction business.)
With 4,000 square feet of living space, the house is primarily a single-storey home — 96 feet stretched end to end and 83 feet front to back — designed for the couple to age in place. The southwestfacing front features an extended floor and concrete porch and pool deck that spans two-thirds of the width of the home. Full-height, retractable glazing gives way to a large, open-plan livingand-dining area and the primary bedroom.
Inspired by Mediterranean arbours, that remarkable ceiling undulates above some 4,000 square feet of living space, most of it on a single level designed so the homeowners can age in place.
Left: The idea is to have minimal separation between indoors and out, taking full advantage of the stunning ocean views from its hillside location.
Below: The homeowners worked closely with the landscapers to make the most of the rocky slope where the house is located.
Above: Large, fully retractable glass doors create a seamless transition from the indoor living spaces to the surrounding patios and gardens.
Right: The bathroom, with its large walk-in shower, egg-shaped soaker tub and floor-to-ceiling windows, is a serene, spa-like oasis.
VINCE KLASSEN
In effect, the extended front narrows the view, eliminating sightlines of the houses and street below to focus instead on the bay, overhanging Garry oaks and the sky.
“The house is a house for many people, even though there are only two full-time residents,” says Patkau.
Toni and David have a large, extended family, many of whom gather at their house for waffles every Sunday. A couple of drawers in the kitchen are filled with children’s toys, games and books. Another cupboard reveals a baking station where said waffles can rest, pre-prepared overnight. The Joey bar stools are by the architects, topped with felt rather than leather to align with the pescatarian couple’s values.
Those are not the only pieces of furniture by Patkau Studio, the architect’s line of furniture. Modular Maitake tables cluster in the living room and Minima lights softly illuminate the primary and guest bedrooms. Along the back of the house are the guest bedroom, sauna, billiard room and bar, and primary ensuite with what Toni calls “the exhibitionist’s bathroom” — its glass walls give way to the hilly terrain and glimpses of a few neighbouring homes.
A small elevator joins the main floor of the home to the downstairs, where a double-car garage, a guest or caretaker suite and an impressive utility room are tucked into the slope.
‘LIKE BUILDING A VIOLIN’
To build the house, especially its cantilevered roof, involved “huge structural elements,” says Rannala, “and then very small windows for error because of the roof shape. There’s not a lot of room for error. Everything has to be where it is or it doesn’t work.”
The extended roof overhangs and natural cross breezes help passively cool the home, which was designed to be as sustainable as it is visually striking. A ground-source geothermal heat-pump system delivers heating, cooling and hot water, and respects the neighbourhood by reducing noise (compared to heat pumps). On the roof, 60 solar panels rated at 335 watts each produce most of the home’s energy requirements and also power backup batteries for emergencies. Additionally, cisterns collect well water to support irrigation and serve as an emergency water source, complementing the municipal supply.
Achieving such an exacting vision took close alignment between the architect and the construction team.
“The house is extremely rigorous in terms of geometry,” says Patkau. “As a consequence, the challenge to the builders was really significant. To execute this thing was like building a violin.”
Rannala was in daily communication with the architects throughout the build.
“Because it’s so specific, and the tolerances are so low, you can’t build too far ahead,” says Rannala. “We would video call sometimes once a day, sometimes three times a week, sometimes up to three hours a call. We learned to work with their pace and give
PROJECT SUPPORT
Architect: Patkau Architects
Landscape architect: Haven Landscape Architecture
General contractor: Rannala Freeborn Construction
Home deconstruction: Allan Hall Salvage
Site prep: Brad Waterhouse Excavating
Exterior cladding: Mudslingers Stucco
Exterior rod and caulking: Island Applicators
Structural steel: Island Metal Craft
Natural gas work: Tyler Mechanical
Fireplaces: Heat Savers Home Comfort
Plumbing: Arnold’s Plumbing Services
Well and water filtration: Cullen Water Systems
Flooring: European Touch (hardwood); Szolyd Concrete (concrete)
Architectural Concrete interior and exterior: Rannala Freeborn Construction
Cabinetry: Douglas Grant Cabinetmakers
Rannala Freeborn Construction; Canadian Bavarian Millwork and Lumber Countryside Designs (Corian)
Inman Painting
Shower glass and exterior glass railings: North Glass & Aluminum
Windows and doors: Eurovision Windows and Doors (Ottima)
Window shades: Ruffell & Brown Window
Island Watershapes
Red Door Landscape Services
GET COOKIN’
How to build an outdoor kitchen for year-round enjoyment.
BY NESSA PULLMAN
Now that summer’s long, warm, sunny days are upon us, we want to spend every possible moment outside, enjoying this fleeting season. And that includes cooking and sharing our meals with others.
“There is something primal about cooking outdoors,” says Mike De Palma, founder and CEO of Flintstones Design & Build. “It makes you feel more connected to nature and, more importantly, to each other.”
These days, though, cooking outside means more than just firing up the barbie. Sure, you’ll likely start with a basic grill, whether it’s gas, charcoal or electric. But cook outside enough and you’ll want a prep surface, too, as well as a place for waste, a refrigerator, running water and a comfortable area for dining and lounging. Eventually, you’ll want a roof, lighting and heaters so you can cook in all conditions.
In other words, you’ll want an outdoor kitchen.
It’s all part of a bigger trend of spending more time out of doors, which gathered momentum during the pandemic and hasn’t stopped since. Not only is getting outside
beneficial to your health, it allows more room for people to gather, talk and play — especially if, like so many of us, you’ve decided to skip the expensive vacation and entertain at home this summer instead.
“There’s been an increasing trend towards outdoor spaces,” says Jonathan Craggs, founder of Jonathan Craggs Garden Design. “People are looking to cultivate more outdoor living.”
Best of all, having an outdoor kitchen goes beyond summer enjoyment. It gives you a bigger space to host friends and family and is ideal for preparing richly aromatic foods without having to worry about those smells lingering inside the house. And, done right, an outdoor kitchen is a four-season space that allows you to enjoy your backyard in all but the most inclement weather.
As De Palma says, “People always tend to gather around the kitchen. You might as well be outside breathing in fresh air and enjoying the view.”
No matter the reason — or the season — outdoor kitchens provide a space that is functional and enjoyable. Here’s what you need to know to create your own.
“PEOPLE ALWAYS TEND TO GATHER AROUND THE KITCHEN. YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE OUTSIDE BREATHING IN FRESH AIR AND ENJOYING THE VIEW.”
The grill is the centrepiece of the outdoor kitchen, but the best designs also include refrigeration, running water and a roof to protect you from the elements, as in this project from Urban Bonfire.
Materials used should be resilient in harsh weather conditions.
LOCATION
When it comes to building an outdoor kitchen, the first thing to consider is the location. Whether the kitchen is attached to the main house or in a pavilion nearby, it should be in close proximity to your indoor kitchen. “You don’t want to be hauling your food supplies across the entire house to get there,” says De Palma.
It should also have easy access to utilities such as electricity, water and gas, which is why most outdoor kitchens are built on existing decks or patios. But you should also consider views, privacy, the potential for sun and shade, and wind direction — you don’t want smoke blowing toward the seating area.
Note that the location and its limitations will also determine how big or complex the kitchen can be.
FUNCTIONALITY
The second thing to consider is how you want to use the space.
“Building an outdoor kitchen is very à la carte,” says De Palma. “There are the basics and then you build up from there to suit your needs.” The fundamentals of an outdoor kitchen comprise three things, he says: a barbecue; a sink with counter space; and facilities for garbage and recycling. These items will give you the necessary base to begin cooking your meals outdoors.
But you may also want to add a refrigerator, storage and secondary cooking surfaces. And if you want to use the space as an entertainment area or a luxurious staycation spot, you’ll want to consider adding a few other features, ranging from heaters to upholstered furniture.
MATERIALS
Your outdoor kitchen will require specific materials to withstand the harsher conditions of wind, rain, sun, heat and cold. “You’ll want to choose strong, durable materials,” says Craggs. “A honed granite or marble countertop will hold up best against the weather.”
For building materials, consider concrete, brick and woods that are both durable and attractive.
For appliances, stick to high-grade austenitic stainless steel, which has a high resistance to corrosion.
Your Outdoor Kichen Specialists
For soft furnishings, consider waterrepellent, fade-resistant, quick-dry fabrics like Olefin, Sunbrella, AquaDuck and coated polyester.
And keep in mind that many plastics and untreated woods won’t stand up to the elements and are vulnerable to pest infestations.
DESIGN
The layout of your kitchen depends on the space where it’s located and how you want to use it. Like your actual kitchen, it can be a simple row or a galley, U or L shape.
It should have a roof of some sort, whether you’re keeping it simple with a grill gazebo or going all in on a semi-enclosed glass-and-beam structure for the best weather-proofing. If you go this route, though, make sure to add a hood fan above the barbecue as it is now a combustible space.
In any case, De Palma says, “I always suggest putting a type of shelter over the kitchen for protection. That’s also what allows the space to go from a summer-only event to a six- or nine-month usage.”
Also consider adding a wet bar, perhaps with a keg tap to keep those cold beers flowing and create the feeling of being at a resort in a tropical destination.
And since you’ll want to share the food you cook with your family and friends, you’ll likely want to add some sort of dining area. “Having somewhere to sit and eat the food afterwards is ideal,” De Palma says. “This could be a formal dining table or even casual bar seating off the kitchen.”
You can also create a lounging area with couches and pillows, a firepit and/ or an outdoor-rated TV. Craggs suggests incorporating a pool or hot tub nearby to maximize the luxurious outdoor living atmosphere.
And don’t forget the outdoor light fixtures, including a mix of task and mood lighting, as well as gas heaters, to add a warm ambience and comfort to the space when the sun goes down.
“No matter what you’re doing, being outside encourages a more relaxed and informal atmosphere,” says De Palma.
Grills and More
The grill is the centrepiece of your outdoor kitchen, and the right one depends on the size you need and the type of fuel you prefer to use.
Gas or propane grills are the most popular and convenient, the main difference being that natural-gas grills are connected to a permanent gas line while propane grills rely on portable tanks that require periodic refills or replacements. If you are building an outdoor kitchen, you will likely want a gas grill, which means installing a gas line if you don’t already have one.
There are other options, of course. Electric grills are convenient, but won’t reach the high heat (or bold flavour) of gas or charcoal. Charcoal grills create the most flavourful food, but take longer to heat up and cool down, and produce a large quantity of smoke, which is great if you’re smoking brisket, but not so great if you’re the neighbour next door.
The best solution is probably to have a gas grill for everyday, and a charcoal grill for days when you have more time to cook.
Note that there are two exceptional Canadian brands — Napoleon and Broil King — that make a wide range of grills for most types of fuel.
In addition, there are several other cooking methods that have become popular for outdoor settings.
Pizza oven: These, too, can be fired by wood, gas or electricity. The most popular is the portable Ooni; the most traditional are those big clay dome structures. In between are the Gozny dome styles, which are sleek and chic and produce restaurantquality pie.
Smoker: If you love tender brisket, fallapart-tender pulled pork, luscious ribs and salmon candy, then you need to add a charcoal or electric smoker to your cooking area. Or consider a Big Green Egg, the all-in-one ceramic cooker that can be used to grill, smoke and bake.
Power burner: A gas or induction countertop power burner is ideal for crab boils and corn on the cob, and can be stored when you don’t need it. Also consider mounting a pot filler above to help with filling large pots of water.
Warming drawer: Fancy, yes, but it will keep food hot until it’s served.
Griddle: If you love smashburgers, you’ll love the flat top of a griddle. It’s also ideal for cooking breakfast foods like pancakes, bacon and eggs for a crowd.
Asado grill: For the ultimate in live-fire cooking the way the Argentinian cowboys do it, you will want an asado grill, also called a parrilla. It’s designed to provide consistent heat from a wood fire, which means it has adjustable grilling surfaces that can be lowered or raised to control cooking surfaces. Now that’s hot.
Gozney Dome S1
MADE IN THE SHADE
It seems like we wait all year for summer’s hot, sunny days to arrive — and then the minute they do, we cry out for shade.
It’s a phenomenon Peter Stofko knows all too well. “Every year we see it, usually in March. It’s that one warm day,” says the co-owner of Pacific Awnings in Victoria. “Between March and September, it’s all about shade.”
Pacific Awnings has been offering Victorians respite from the heat since 1991. Peter and Lori Stofko bought the company in 2020 (they’re also the owners of Ruffell & Brown Window Covering Centre) and ever since they keep hearing from customers who tell them the city’s been a lot hotter the last few years — and they’re not just talking about 2021’s heat dome, when temperatures in Victoria rose to a record-shattering 39.8°C.
BY JOANNE SASVARI
A yearning for shade may bring customers into the showroom, but Stofko is quick to point out that it’s not the only consideration when it comes to adding an awning or putting up a pergola. Rain, wind, snow and privacy are also factors, as well as the style of the home, the type of hardware you choose, what you’re going to use the space for, how much money you want to spend and how long you want the structure to last.
“They may be asking for an awning, but what they really want is a pergola,” he says. “Shade is part of what we do and most conversations with customers start out with finding out what they want.”
Here are seven ways to add shade to your own backyard.
Above: Algarve louvered pergola, available from Pacific Awnings.
SHADE SAILS
A shade sail is a fabric canopy, typically rectangular or triangular, designed to provide shade in outdoor spaces like patios, decks, pools and playgrounds. They need a support system, usually poles of some sort, and are colourful, fun and infinitely customizable in terms of shape and size; it’s easy to combine several sails to cover a really large area. They start at about $150, making them one of the more affordable choices.
Throwing shade: They are not built to last. Heavy rain will damage them and they offer no protection from wind. Plus the design doesn’t suit every style of home.
UMBRELLAS
The easiest and least expensive shade solution is an umbrella. Every big-box store carries market umbrellas for as little as $100 plus another $50 or so for a stand to keep it from tipping over or blowing away. Or, for $3,000 to $6,000, you can opt for a cantilevered umbrella that is sturdier, fancier and covers a much bigger space.
Throwing shade: Umbrellas look pretty, but they only cover a small area (like a patio table or beach chair), blow around in the wind, wear out over time, offer minimal rain protection and need to be moved around as the sun moves. Plus the mechanisms can be difficult for some people to use.
Above: Triangle shade sail, available from Lee Valley Tools. Below: Treasure Garden 13-foot cantilever umbrella, Wicker Land Patio.
PERGOLAS
Traditionally, a pergola was an open structure, a sort of rustic framework made of wood and designed to support climbing vines. Think al fresco dinners under a bower of grapes in Tuscany or Provence, and you get the idea. As Stofko says, “It makes the space kind of cozy, but it does nothing for functionality.”
The modern pergola, though, is something quite different. It is typically made of metal in a contemporary design, either freestanding or attached to the side of your house, with a fabric shading such as a roman blind or a louvred roof that can be opened, closed or retracted mechanically, even sliding walls or screens for privacy or protection from the elements. This latter style is what Stofko calls “the bling,” the ultimate in outdoor living, ideal for yoga studios, kids’ playrooms, workspaces, outdoor kitchens and living rooms. “It is the product that does it all. It’s a four-season room,” he says.
Throwing shade: The big downside is the cost. A custommade louvred pergola can run $50,000 and up. “It’s not for everybody,” Stofko admits, “but here on the Island there are plenty of people who will say, ‘I’ll take three.’ ” And besides, he says, it will add value to your home: “You’re getting more space without building an addition or moving to a new house.”
SCREENS
“Screens are like roller shades for the outside,” Stofko explains. These vertical mesh panels are great for condo balconies, covered patios, porches or pergolas. They not only protect from the sun, they also block wind and rain, help the space maintain a comfortable temperature and preserve your privacy. They are mechanically operated and can be designed so the hardware doesn’t disrupt your view. Given all the options, prices can vary quite a bit.
Throwing shade: They are not ideal for every space and can be a pricey add-on.
PATIO COVERS
In the sweet spot between an awning and a pergola is the patio cover, a fixed metal (typically aluminum) structure, with a glass or metal roof, that is attached to the side of your house. Patio covers are strong and sturdy, and can easily handle rain, snow and wind. Pacific Awnings makes their aluminum patio covers in their Nanaimo workshop — a 10-by-10-foot one with a metal roof can be installed for as little as $5,000; one with a glass roof for as little as $8,000.
Throwing shade: Because it is fixed in place, a patio cover doesn’t offer a lot of flexibility. If you choose one with a glass roof, you will also need to add some sort of retractable shade solution, such as roman blinds or screens, which will add to the cost.
Aluminum louvred pergola, available from Pacific Awnings.
Solar shade, Pacific Awnings.
AWNINGS
Next to umbrellas, awnings are the most popular go-to for homeowners seeking shade. They are attached to your home and can be fixed or retractable, manual or motorized, traditional in style or coolly contemporary. Stofko points out that, contrary to what many people think, motorized awnings are much less likely to break and are significantly easier to use. You can also install sensors so they automatically retract in heavy wind or stop if there is an object in the way. “It literally protects itself with a wind sensor,” Stofko says. Plus there’s no need to wire them in; you just need an outlet to plug them into. Awnings start at around $3,000.
Throwing shade: An awning won’t protect from rain or wind and can be damaged by stormy conditions or just the passage of time. It’s also limited in how much space it can cover — 13 feet is generally the maximum unless you add special supports. Plus you will need a professional to install it.
GAZEBOS
Scroll through the “Outdoor Living” section on your favourite bigbox store’s website and you’re sure to come across a selection of gazebos, typically 10-by-10-foot metal frames with a fabric covering, with a cost between $1,000 and $2,000. They offer a handy and relatively inexpensive fourseason entertaining space that doesn’t need the help of professionals to assemble.
Throwing shade: Although the frames may be durable, the fabric coverings can wear out and are not always resistant to wind, rain or snow. They can look unsightly over time, plus if you are not great at DIY, a gazebo might be frustrating to assemble.
REAL ESTATE
BY SHANNON MONEO
“WE ARE IN A DECLINING RATE ENVIRONMENT, SO VARIABLE RATES ARE BECOMING MORE POPULAR.”
Jodie Kristian, Dominion Lending Centres Modern Mortgage Group
Mortgage Muddle
Realtors, bankers and mortgage brokers are certain about one thing: Uncertainty is the byword when it comes to securing or renegotiating a mortgage.
For many years, the Victoria Real Estate Board has been consulting with a team of economists who crunch numbers and provide the VREB with monthly forecasts. But lately, it’s been a week-to-week heart-to-heart in an attempt to predict markets and interest rates.
“There’s a spaghetti mess of lines on the charts,” says the Victoria Real Estate Board’s 2025 chair Dirk VanderWal. “It’s all in limbo. There’s a lack of resolution.”
Tariff talk, fluctuating stock markets and recession warnings have intruded into what had been a rosy-looking start to 2025. “The markets can digest bad news. It’s uncertainty we don’t like,” he says.
So, how should one proceed when it comes to getting a mortgage, be it a first time or a renewal?
FIXED OR VARIABLE?
In the spring, most people were opting for
fixed rates, with 30-year amortizations popular, says VanderWal, a Realtor with Newport Realty. He predicts that variable-rate mortgages may grow in popularity if interest rates continue to drop. But, he adds, it’s a buyers’ market, and that flexibility also applies to mortgage shopping.
Jodie Kristian has been a mortgage consultant/ broker for 27 years, so has witnessed many fluctuations. Past experience has shown that bad economic news is typically good for interest rates. “We are in a declining rate environment, so variable rates are becoming more popular,” says Kristian, who works at Dominion Lending Centres Modern Mortgage Group. “Many economists think rates will go lower.”
As rates fall, buyers have to determine if a fixed-rate or variable-rate mortgage will serve their needs and pocketbook.
First off, Kristian recommends that homeowners get a rate hold for four months
prior to maturity or the renewal date. That way, if rates drop, the lower rate is given.
The same applies for pre-approved rates. If rates drop beyond the pre-approved rate, the lowest rate will apply. For Kristian, her clients were partial to the three-year fixed-rate and the five-year variable-rate mortgages in early spring.
If homeowners want predictability and reliability regarding mortgage payments, fixedrate deals are the way to go, says a mortgage specialist with Bank of Montreal, who asked that her name not be used. “It comes down to customers’ risk tolerance,” she says. It’s not a one-size fits all.
Popular products are the three-year to fiveyear-term fixed loans. But she’s seeing clients who are leery of variable-rate loans. The one time a variable-rate mortgage is recommended is if the homeowner was selling within a year.
JEFFREY
“THE MARKETS CAN DIGEST BAD NEWS. IT’S UNCERTAINTY WE DON’T LIKE.”
Dirk VanderWal, Newport Realty
Also important to remember: If a homeowner breaks a fixed-rate agreement, there are penalties.
Another aspect to consider is that every mortgaged property is appraised.
When buying a home, the amount of the approved mortgage is based on the appraised value of the home. That means that it is the appraised value — not the purchase price — that the lender uses to determine the maximum amount of the mortgage loan. If the purchase price is significantly higher than the appraised value, the buyer may not receive the full amount of the loan they were expecting.
MANAGING PAYMENTS
In early April, fixed two- or three-year rates were in the four-per-cent neighbourhood while the three-year variable was similar.
If a client chooses the variable rate, which shifts based on the prime rate, they can opt for two payment methods, Kristian says. Adjustable-rate mortgage payments change when the prime rate changes, so payments rise and fall based on interest rates. The variable-rate mortgage with fixed payments means the payment is static, but when interest rates drop, more of the payment reduces the principal. If rates rise, more of the payment goes toward the interest.
Government policy changes are also
playing a role. In December 2024, there was a notable lift for first-time homebuyers and purchasers of newly built homes. They can extend the amortization period to 30 years from what was often a 25-year period.
Also important, says Kristian, is making at least a 20-per-cent down payment.
Doing that means a homeowner doesn’t have to buy Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CHMC) insurance, which protects the lender when homeowners default on payments. “It does nothing for the owners. It’s for the banks,” Kristian says.
As well, many homeowners’ incomes rise over time, which means they can take advantage of “20/20 rules” that allow payment of up to 20 per cent of the original principal balance each year without penalty or to increase regular payments by up to 20 per cent each year.
But it can then become a question of keeping payments manageable in light of raising a family and other expenses or paying off a mortgage faster, Kristian says.
Purchasing a home is a huge decision; it becomes the buyer’s biggest asset, so rushing into the financing should be avoided. Knowing buyers’ goals can assist mortgage specialists. Do clients want the lowest monthly payment? Or do they want to pay off the mortgage as quickly as possible?
AT THE TABLE
BY JOANNE SASVARI
IBetter Over Live Fire
Throw your veggies on the grill and light up your life.
f you’re still thinking of your backyard grill as just a tool for cooking hunks of meat, well, think again. With summer’s bounty of fresh, local produce, the possibilities are almost endless — and there’s almost no veg that can’t be made even better with a hint of char.
To prove it, we turned to Andrea Alridge, the executive chef of Janevca Kitchen & Lounge, who is known for her passion for live-fire cooking, which she developed years ago when she worked at Vancouver’s CinCin Ristorante.
“I believe anything and everything can be cooked over fire,” says Alridge, who insists that one day she’ll even bake a cake in her woodburning Grillworks Infierno range. For now, though, she fire-roasts steaks, chicken, seafood, pizza and especially vegetables over her special mix of wood and sustainable Noble binchotan coconut charcoal.
Take the cauliflower she’s cooking today. “Basically, for the cauliflower, I’m going to put it in a basket over the coals,” she says. “We’ll give it lots of salt, then spritz it with olive oil, then let it sit on the coals and get nice and smoky.”
She fills a long-handled metal basket with
florets, then tucks it amid the flames, using a pair of tongs to deftly adjust the chunks of burning wood as a sweet, earthy, smoky aroma fills the air. As it cooks, she whisks white anchovies, more olive oil, coriander, cumin, rosemary and chili flakes together in a metal bowl. When the cauliflower is perfectly charred, she removes the basket from the flames, pours the florets into the bowl and tosses everything together into a perfect symphony of umami, salt, smoke and spice.
“When it comes right off the fire, [the flavours] just seep into the cauliflower,” she says. “And that’s it. It’s super simple.” She laughs a little. “And it’s just healthy enough.”
There is a simple key to grilling vegetables, she says. “I always think about sugar content.”
Onions, for instance, have a high sugar content, which means they burn easily and should be generally cooked slowly over medium or low heat. Same with tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots and winter squashes. On the other hand, cauliflower, broccoli and asparagus are low in sugar, and can take higher temperatures and faster cooking. “Cauliflower needs that hard sear,” Alridge says.
She also notes that, however you choose to flavour your veg, two things are essential: salt and acidity. Alridge loves using the coconut vinegars that are so popular in her Filipino culture, but even a simple squeeze of lemon or lime will make the flavours pop. You can also add herbs, spices, garlic and an almost infinite variety of flavours.
“You’ve got to think about every vegetable and its application,” Alridge says. “I like to treat every vegetable like a totally different thing.”
One thing she is adamant about is using live fire — that is, fire that is fuelled by wood or charcoal. If gas, propane or electricity are your only options, they will of course still work, but she notes “I just don’t think you’ll ever get the same flavour profile you do over wood.”
We couldn’t help but wonder if she has a favourite veg she likes to cook. Well, sort of. “Citrus,” is her answer. “Burnt citrus is my favourite flavour profile ever. It’s super versatile, endless possibilities.” She uses it in sauces, salad dressings and some desserts.
“And,” she adds, “I guess cauliflower for sure.”
Executive chef Andrea Alridge roasts cauliflower over live fire at Janevca Kitchen & Lounge.
Grilled Veg
THREE TO TRY
Cherry tomatoes
Toss with a bit of olive oil then cook over medium heat until they blister and split. Before they get so soft they ooze through the grill basket, remove them from the heat and mix with minced garlic, more olive oil, plenty of salt and some chopped fresh herbs. You can add a little balsamic vinegar, too, or red pepper flakes if you like. These tomatoes are delicious mixed with pasta and ricotta or another creamy cheese, or used as a topping for steak or fish. Serve with: Chianti or any juicy, light-to-medium-bodied red wine.
Asparagus
Trim the woody ends of the spears then drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt. Grill over medium-high heat, turning frequently, until you get a nice char on most sides. Remove from heat and drizzle with vinaigrette (consider one made with sesame oil and freshly grated ginger), or crumble a soft, creamy goat or feta cheese over them, or add them to a salad or pasta. Serve with: Sauvignon Blanc, Grüner Veltliner or any crisp white wine with an herbal note.
Eggplant
Slice, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and cook in a single layer over medium heat, turning often, until brown and a little crispy. Delicious on its own as a side dish sprinkled with ras el hanout or lemon juice, or add it to a grain salad or pasta or use it next day in eggplant parmigiana. Alternatively, tuck a whole eggplant into the coals as they burn down. The insides will get soft and custardy, a perfect base for baba ganoush, a dip made with olive oil, tahini, lemon juice and other flavours. Serve with: Crisp, dry, Provence-style rosé.
Essentials for Grilling Produce
GRILL BASKET
Unlike, say, a big ol’ porterhouse steak, veggies tend to be small, delicate and come in many pieces, so you need something (a) that will keep them from falling through the grill and (b) that you can remove quickly from the flames if you need to. You need a grill basket. There are many styles out there; whichever you choose, look for one with high sides, easy-to-grab handle(s), sturdy construction, generous capacity and perforations that are neither too open nor too closed. Two we like are Oxo’s perforated carbon steel pan and Weber’s deluxe grilling basket. oxo.com, weber.com
PARING KNIFE
You don’t need to get fancy — in fact, grilling demands almost the opposite of fancy — but you do need a small, sharp knife to trim woody stems and unsightly blemishes, and just generally keep things tidy. We like the fine precision and light weight of Japanese knives like the Miyabi Black Shotoh knife, with its damascened micro-carbide powdered MC66 steel blade. zwilling.com/ca/miyabi
ESSENTIAL TOOLS
Before you light your fire, make sure you have these essential tools on hand: a sturdy pair of long, easyto-use tongs; an even sturdier spatula, preferably a fish turner, which has a long, wide turning surface; a chimney starter for lighting your coals; and a really, really good pair of grill gloves. Note that many gloves are less heatproof than one might think, which is not something you want to find out when you’re grabbing a red-hot, cast-iron pan handle. One brand that gets consistently high marks is Grill Armor, which is available in a variety of styles and sizes and heatproof to 932°F. grillarmorgloves.com
BEAUTIFUL PLATTERS
Showcase your beautiful vegetables with serveware that is just as lovely. Think platters, trays and bowls in summery hues, even better if they are made in high-quality, tough-to-break melamine. We love the Sicily-inspired pieces at Williams Sonoma; they offer everything from small dip bowls to large serving platters in colourful patterned ware that have you dreaming of a sunny vacation on the Mediterranean. williams-sonoma.ca
A BOOK TO GET YOU ALL FIRED UP
Michael Smith, the award-winning Canadian chef and master of wood-fired cooking, has a gorgeous new book out called Wood, Fire & Smoke: Recipes and Techniques for Wood-Fired Cooking. It’s packed with more than 80 recipes and everything you need to know about grilling, smoking, spit-roasting, cooking over coals and more, from gathering wood to building a fire to cooking delicious food over it. Essential reading for anyone who yearns for the primal joy of cooking over live fire.
AT HOME WITH Landscape Designer Bianca Bodley
BY NESSA PULLMAN
PHOTOS BY JEFFREY BOSDET
Bianca Bodley, of Biophilia Design Collective, lives and breathes the outdoors, so when it came to designing a space of refuge within her own home, she drew on nature as her inspiration. She built a multi-use greenhouse and accompanying outdoor living area that encourages her family to live outside more than inside, even during the worst of our West Coast weather.
What is your favourite space at home and why?
Bodley: My favourite place to be is the greenhouse we built on our property. We call it the “dreamhouse” instead of the “greenhouse” because we wanted to create a space we could fill with everything that brings us joy. This is more than just a place to grow plants and food — we use it as an art studio, event space, dining room and a spot to rest and relax. It’s a place to connect with yourself and others without the distraction of electronics or other household chores. I love it here because you feel so connected to the outside elements. The sun, the trees and the birds are all around you, but you’re in your own little protected space.
How did you design it?
Bodley: We built it larger than your typical greenhouse because we wanted to have space for other activities. We designed the space into three main zones: the propagation area, the dining table and the pottery wheel. My partner built the long harvest table that we use for our meals and for creating art. We put in a sink and a makeshift countertop for preparing meals or cleaning up after working with the plants or art supplies. We purposely built on the highest point on our property so that it gets all-day sun and even captures a view of the ocean beyond. Because of the solar properties, it gets up to 20°C even in the winter — creating a warm and cozy place to enjoy the outdoor elements all year long.
How do you want to experience it?
Bodley: I wanted to create a space outdoors that would act as an extension to our home. Beside the greenhouse, we built a fireplace with hammocks, a hot tub and cold plunge (with plans for a sauna) and an outdoor garden. The goal was to create a holistic space that would encourage us to be outside and immerse ourselves in nature. When people are here, I want them to feel peaceful and tranquil, but also inspired and playful — whether that’s creating art or growing food and other plant medicines. When I’m here, I sit and notice what's around me. I can smell the fragrant plants, I can see the movement of the grasses and I can hear the birds singing, and it’s a complete reset for my well-being.
LAST LOOK
LIKE A CLOUD, BUT MAKE IT ART
Sheena McCorquodale’s galvanized-chicken-wire sculptures are, simply, mesmerizing. She shapes the wire into gossamer forms (such as Anna, pictured here) that barely seem to be there at all, even when they are larger than life-sized. They are light enough to suspend from the ceiling but strong enough to withstand the outdoor elements, and often appear to be floating or drifting on the breeze or an ocean current or just our imagination. McCorquodale, who is based in Qualicum Bay where she is a full-time artist at the Cathouse Gallery, has created awardwinning works that meet at the intersection of contemporary, romantic and delightfully eerie. cathousegallery.com
We are proud to offer cabinetry from Merit Kitchens, manufactured in BC for over 50 years with excellent craftsmanship and an outstanding warranty.
Visit our well-stocked showroom or book a complimentary in-home consultation today.
Lighthouse guided me through the design, solved every unexpected kitchen-renovation hiccup, and handled the installation flawlessly. The cabinets look beautiful and the team left the space spotless — you’d never know they’d been there. It’s the little things that count, and Lighthouse nailed every one of them.”
