Tomato soup is a classic for a reason — its sweet, salty and perfect to enjoy on a cosy night in. This one is garnished with mozzarella and Parmesan for an extra special touch.
This soup has it all: a creamy broth, cheesy tortellini and veg for good measure. Take it from Matty Matheson that it will “satisfy all of those creamy food dreams.”
If you’re a chowder lover, you’ll love this authentic Acadian one made with bay scallops, smoked clams and shrimp. Serve it with grilled bread to soak up every last bit of broth.
Navy beans, a bundle of herbs and vegetables are dressed up with a pistachio pistou and goat cheese spread. Every bite is like its own flavour adventure.
Broiled and Burnt Roasted Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Crostini Thing
Towering crostinis are placed upon a bowl of luscious tomato soup for this fall-worthy dish from Matty Matheson. In true Matty style, this recipe doesn’t take itself too seriously.
If you have some time and want a showstopping soup to serve guests, consider this lobster bisque. It incorporates a homemade fish stock which lends a beautiful depth of flavour to the French-inspired soup.
SourceExcerpted from Where the River Narrows: Classic French & Nostalgic Québécois Recipes From St. Lawrence Restaurant by Jean-Christophe Poirier with Joie Alvaro Kent. Appetite by Random House, 2022.
Ultimate Beef Stew
In Garten’s beef stew is true to its name: it’s ultimate. It’s hard to find a dish as homey as this one, with tender meat and potatoes.
Thai-Canadian chef Pailin Chongchitnant’s tom yum soup uses chicken wings for their high bone-to-meat ratio, which turn plain water into rich chicken stock in under 30 minutes.
According to Toronto chef David Schwartz, the beef rib finger cut is underrated but often the best part. He makes a stew with this meat and cold-weather produce including carrots and potatoes.
Citrus and spice are at the forefront of Nuit Regular’s rich pork belly curry. Nuit adds lime leaves — a common ingredient in Thai curries — for a unique flavour profile.
Executive chef of Kinton Ramen Aki Urata shares his recipe for chicken ramen. Aki says using quality ingredients makes all the difference when it comes to from-scratch ramen.
SourceExcerpted from Where the River Narrows: Classic French & Nostalgic Québécois Recipes From St. Lawrence Restaurant by Jean-Christophe Poirier with Joie Alvaro Kent. Appetite by Random House, 2022.
Known for her global, artisanal style, Montana Burnett’s unique perspective and entrepreneurial spirit have made this designer a standout.
There’s always a sense of human touch in her projects, due to carefully selected handcrafted pieces that are sourced from around the world, which are often sold in her Toronto store, SALT by the Caza Project. Montana senses the zeitgeist, stripping away fussy elements and honing in on the elemental: relaxed textures, architectural seating, a great bar, and lights so pretty you can’t believe they’re not sculptures.
Montana is flanked by 2027 Designers of the Year, Ashley Montgomery and Gillian Segal.
PhotographerStacey Brandford
Fashion styling Coneli Style
Montana (seen centre) started her design career by interning at House & Home, before becoming a market editor for four years. Since then, her projects have appeared multiple times in our pages. Scroll down for highlights of Montana’s projects that demonstrate the lasting appeal and unique beauty of her work.
Here’s a sneak peek of the grand Toronto home Montana designed for long-term clients, Moez and Marissa Hassam (see the full tour here and get all the design details in our November issue, on stands now). Moez, a restaurant entrepreneur, often invites chefs to cook on the expansive Lacanche stove, topped by a curved Calacatta Vagli Rosato backsplash detail that highlights the pot filler.
Photographer Stacey Brandford
A custom, hand-carved dining table with lightweight cork bases separates into three units for a party of 30, and slides together to seat 10.
PhotographerStacey Brandford
The fixtures in this second-floor powder room trough sink are set at each end, so they don’t obscure a vintage carved mirror frame.
See the full house in our November issue, on newsstands now and available for digital download on October 10!
Photographer Stacey Brandford
Homeowner Karen Elia (left) with designer Montana Burnett. A custom white oak plate rack and turned legs on the island reinforce the English cottage vibe.
Empty-nesters Karen and Mario Elia asked Montana to help renovate their circa-1898 Toronto home. “The house was tired,” explains Karen. “She really needed a lift.” The home’s footprint stayed intact — the bones were solid and the flow worked well. To create the feeling of enveloping warmth that Karen craved, Montana replaced the dated gloss with natural textures, aged materials and a rich, earthy palette.
Photographer Patrick Biller
The back living room has an off-white limewash on the walls and tonal drapes that contrast with the darker seating.
Photographer Patrick Biller
Beyond the kitchen, other spaces reflect the desire for calm, collected comfort. The front living room, painted in a deep mossy green and filled with plush seating and layered textiles, serves as a dedicated reading space with no TV in sight.
PhotographerPatrick Biller
Karen, an avid cook with a vast cookbook collection, needed a space that was as functional as it was beautiful. Montana enlarged the island and extended the cabinets wall to wall to maximize storage and counter space.“We used glass-fronted upper cabinet doors to showcase Karen’s beautiful cookware,” says Montana. “Then, we added curtains to some cabinets to conceal cans and cereal boxes.”
Clients Moez and Marissa Hassam asked Montana to help with their Lake Joseph cottage. “Her aesthetic is laid-back, casual and warm,” notes Marissa. “That was important to us, as our kids are little and we wanted it to feel homey.” In the dining area, the pine floors in the original turret were painted white, making this airy, light-filled dining room appear to float in space.
Photographer Alex Lukey
ArchitectureBrian Pharaoh
The existing kitchen was simply brightened up with paint. The Kassams may renovate it in the future, but now they have so many new outdoor entertaining spaces, they’re in no hurry.
Photographer Alex Lukey
Architecture Brian Pharaoh
The Kassams wanted to keep some of the furniture that came with the cottage — like the principal bedroom’s rustic bed and nightstands. Beautiful french doors can be left open for lake breezes.
Photographer Alex Lukey
Architecture Brian Pharaoh
Montana added a dark metal faucet and sconces in the ensuite to “keep the charm and erase the ’90s vibe.”
Montana lead the design of this Victorian home while Peter Robinson of Sherwood Custom Homes oversaw the renovation, transforming it into an open-concept space ready for spontaneous dinner parties or just hanging out en famille. Vented cladding made of stained white oak is installed over top of the white marble fireplace, underscoring Montana’s recurring use of contrasting graphic details.
PhotographerAngus Fergusson
Designed to maximize conversation, the custom dining room table plays a central role at dinner parties. Vintage Mies van der Rohe cantilever cane chairs surround the table.
PhotographerAngus Fergusson
Centrally positioned with its own ventilation system, the wood-burning pizza oven is a constant source of pleasure, whether it’s fired up for weekday family meals or used by top chefs for catered events.
PhotographerAngus Fergusson
The homeowners spend most of their time in the comfortable — and multifunctional — informal dining area at the back of the house. “They use it for breakfasts and dinners on a daily basis, and the space moonlights as a bar during parties,” says Montana.
Photographer Angus Fergusson
Originally black and gold, the pendant over the bathtub was repainted white to tone down its presence, resulting in a more serene space.
Photographer Angus Fergusson
Graphic wallpaper and a variety of natural surfaces in the principal bedroom illustrate Montana’s preference for combining clean, earthy elements with mid-century modern style.
Hayley Atkins lives on a quiet street in north Toronto, but she didn’t let any of that stop her from creating the beachy house of her dreams. Montana made the 4,500-square-foot house a stunning homage to everything sun, sand and surf. Hayley commissioned the painting above the fireplace from Eva Claessens after Montana showed her the Uruguay-based artist’s work on Instagram. Eva requested the piece be pinned to the wall, not framed, a detail perfectly in sync with the home’s refined-yet-casual vibe.
PhotographerVirginia Macdonald
Photographer Virginia Macdonald
“It’s quite an open, airy house and there’s so much light that I thought it could afford a black room,” says Montana of the dining room’s high-contrast matte black walls and ceiling trim. “When you have a black room and then a white room, it’s beautiful.” A branch-like chandelier by Lindsey Adelman hangs above a custom table by Camilla House.
Photographer Virginia Macdonald
The redesigned kitchen features a large island topped by two-inch-thick quartzite. Hardware-free cabinet fronts help give the room a sleek, clutter-free appearance. The matte black herringbone backsplash adds a subtle accent. “It keeps the look clean but adds texture,” says Montana.
PhotographerVirginia Macdonald
One wall in the principal bedroom showcases a custom wallpaper mural made from a close-up photo of grasses. “It makes me feel like I’m in Tulum,” says Hayley. A woven bench, knit throw, speckled wool rug and thick linen drapes add touchable texture.
PhotographerVirginia Macdonald
The principal ensuite includes a walk-in shower, marble accents and oversized black hexagonal floor tiles. “We really put a lot of effort into making it special,” says Hayley. It’s not a kid-free zone, though. “Everybody uses my bathroom,” she admits.
Montana’s family cottage is inspired by trips to St. Barts. “We’ve gone as a family for as long as I can remember,” she says. Designed in collaboration with her mother, artist Martha Solomon, their family cottage is bright and breezy, with a soothing palette inspired by natural materials. The great room’s Caribbean-inspired white and wood palette sets the tone for the entire cottage. Montana envisioned the open, breezy space to be the hub of the home on good and bad weather days alike.
Photographer Virginia Macdonald
A handsome model sailboat grounds a sea-themed vignette in the great room. Framed vintage maps and tall glass urns create symmetry, while found seashells and coral sprinkled across the antique 14′-long table fill out the nautical display.
Photographer Virginia Macdonald
The kitchen’s simple Shaker-style cabinets are Montana’s design and carry through the cottage’s serene feel. “We kept the kitchen all-white but injected warmth with the butcherblock countertop and wood surround trim,” she says. A pair of oversized pendant lights add scale and modernity to the space.
PhotographerVirginia Macdonald
A stag bust made of branches acts as sculpture in the principal bedroom. Two candle sconces on either side of the doorway frame the entry perfectly. “When it’s dark and they’re lit up, they create a gorgeous effect,” says Montana.
PhotographerVirginia Macdonald
A large mirror, found at a local antique market, hangs over the vanity in the principal ensuite. “A single mirror is more dramatic and reflects more light,” says Montana. The bathtub’s squared corners echo the lines of the white Shaker-style vanity for a timeless blend of modern and classic details.
Photographer Virginia Macdonald
Montana decorated the screened-in porch with vintage chairs she repainted and raffia accents collected on her travels.
Photographer Angus Fergusson
Montana’s Carriage House Rental
Montana showed off the humble carriage house rental she had just moved into in 2013. The space was full of fun ideas and clever storage solutions. To make the original working fireplace the focal point, Montana placed two space-saving narrow wing chairs on either side and finished off the vignette with her favourite piece, a gilded antique mirror from her mother, on the mantel.
PhotographerAngus Fergusson
This heirloom French Empire armoire was where Montana stashed her design materials. “I didn’t want to have to entertain with all my office supplies on display,” she reasoned. Her substantial dining table doubled as a desk.
Photographer Angus Fergusson
In the bedroom, Montana’s love of handcrafted items and prints revealed itself in the bedroom with a patterned coverlet and ikat pillows. The bedroom’s headboard was built from whitewashed rough-cut pine boards. “I love the rustic feel of the effect,” says Montana. “I wanted to reinforce the house’s cottage feel.” A doorway leads to her walk-in closet — a dream in a tiny space.
Who knew Ashley was a Pioneer Girl! You will fall in love with this country house by one of H&H’s 2026 Designers of the Year. It’s sunny and calm and filled with details you can’t imagine ever seeing in an authentic log house. From the wide chinking, custom millwork, unlacquered brass fittings, skirted cabinets and her signature mix of prints, Ashley has created a magical home for her and her children. Take the tour and learn why PAINT is the secret to keeping it all fresh and crisp and still rustic country. Fans of Virgin River will love this house!
To see more of Ashley’s work, pick up the November issue of House & Home, on newsstands now and download it October 10. You can read us on Apple News+, App Store, Zinio, Nook, Flipster and PressReader.
A gingham bordersurrounding farmhouse-inspired embroidery exudes pastoral charm on the Country Home Embroidered pillow cover, a collab between Rifle Paper Co. and Loloi.
We’ve long been fans of Gillian’s work: she manages to combine luxe and edgy elements, and the results are spaces that feel fearless and modern. Each home has its own distinct personality and point of view, reflecting a relaxed West Coast vibe sprinkled with bespoke touches.
Gillian Segal (right), alongside fellow 2026 House & Home Designers of the Year, Ashley Montgomery and Montana Burnett (centre). The November issue is on newsstands now and available for download on October 10. You can read us on Apple News+, App Store, Zinio, nook, Flipster and PressReader.
Since launching her studio a decade ago, Gillian has built a distinctive residential and commercial portfolio of projects across Canada and the U.S. Below is a curated collection of beautiful spaces by Gillian that have appeared in our pages: from a Dutch Revival–style home to a glam makeover for a stylish Vancouver couple.
A Look Into Gillian’s Sophisticated Former Family Home
Designed with Katherine S. Gordon of Kasa Design, Gillian’s exquisite former home is more than meets the eye. The millwork above the fireplace hid a TV, and below the bookshelves along one wall, drawers concealed her kids’ toys. Gillian wanted the space to be hardworking and with open sight lines — especially considering the home was on a 33-foot-wide lot. “The home lived bigger than it actually was,” she says.
An undulating custom sectional and sculptural furniture create a relaxed family room that still feels elevated.
DesignGillian Segal and Katherine S. Gordon
PhotographyEma Peter
An Old World Feel Defines This Quebec Residence
Gillian captured a remarkable old world feel in this Westmount, Que. heritage home for photographer Karolina Victoria Jez and real-estate developer Sorab Alavi. The principal bathroom combines plaster walls, reeded glass and chevron floors for a polished look. A curved vent hood and heavily veined backsplash in the kitchen are stately. “Everything you see is essentially new but designed and fabricated to look old,” says Gillian.
Custom marble details above the tub and around the arched shower enclosure tie the principal bathroom together.
Read more about these projects in our November issue on newsstands now!
DesignGillian Segal
PhotographyBrooke Stephenson
StylingSophie Anne Interiors
A Dutch Revival–style Home Gets a Bespoke Makeover
A home Gillian designed for a young family in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood was one of our 2023 Looks of the Year. After damage from an electrical fire left her clients heartbroken, Gillian gave the home a new life with bespoke European elements including plasterwork, herringbone floors and veined marble. In the kitchen, pencil-edge cabinet detailing — which Gillian dubbed “micro Shaker” — was ahead of its time.
“We wanted the light fixture to feel decorative but not obscure the view,” says Gillian. The arms are wrapped in rope for textural interest.
The formal living room is adjacent to the kitchen. Interior windows let natural light stream in.
Flush-mount ceiling fixtures were chosen as a prettier alternative to recessed lighting. “We wanted special lighting in the kitchen but didn’t want pendants that would compete with the dining room fixture,” says
DesignGillian Segal and Laura Goldsby
PhotographyEma Peter
Melanie and Alex Auld’s Heritage Home Becomes Artful & Modern
Jewelry designer and former NHL goaltender tapped Gillian to help give their 1906 heritage-designated house in Vancouver a modern upgrade. The dining room’s custom wall sculpture looks like jewelry itself, and the combination of vintage chairs and a table from Facebook Marketplace lend warmth to the space. The powder room is also a standout feature; the Patagonia granite and plaster sink are especially grand.
The stairs were opened up and fitted with a tidy railing. Gillian finished the space with a vintage Murano glass chandelier.
The mid-century modern dining table is expertly styled with a playful pendant. “We were looking for a light fixture that was big, impactful and organic,” says Gillian. “It was a save item, not a splurge.”
Having the granite pedestal in the powder room custom made was one of the project’s bigger splurges.
ArchitecturePeter Rose
DesignGillian Segal
PhotographyEma Peter
Gillian’s Stunning Decorations For Hanukkah
The designer shared her festival of lights décor which bridges traditional and contemporary. Gillian placed olive branches throughout her Kitsilano home, including in the garland that runs up the stairs. A statement floral installtion sits on the mantel. “I also scattered additional smaller floral arrangements across the home, in the kitchen, primary bathroom and primary bedside tables,” says Gillian.
“I didn’t want a traditional wreath, so I chose to do one floral arrangement for high impact — and nothing too gaudy,” says Gillian of the home’s exterior.
Gillian plays with height and size in her decorations, as seen here in the statement mantel piece.
For the tablescape, Gillian opted for lower arrangements and candles to create a festive holiday feeling.
PhotographyJanis Nicolay
DesignGillian Segal
A Calming Colour-Drenched Living Room
To give this Palm Beach living room a soothing, atmospheric feel, Gillian colour-drenched the walls and trim of this in a soft sage to highlight the intricate moulding details. Gillian opted for roman shades for privacy and softness. “I generally use a roman shade when we have smaller-scale windows and drapes on larger windows,” she says.
PhotographyNick Mele Photography
DesignGillian Segal
Gillian Makes A Case For Layered Interiors
In 2021, Gillian predicted that earthy palettes and texture would be all the rage — and she was right! Her go-to moves include adding plaster, travertine and rattan elements to a room, as well as leaning into deep neutral hues including browns and greens. On our website, we featured this casual seating area, fit with a curvy chair and graphic artwork.
PhotographyEma Peter
DesignGillian Segal
Photography (Gillian’s portrait)Nicole Robertson
See more from Gillian, and the other 2026 Designers of the Year by picking up our November issue, on newsstands now, or download it October 10! You can read us on Apple News+, App Store, Zinio, nook, Flipster and PressReader.
What do you when faced with long time clients, Moez and Marissa Kassam, who trust you to bring incredible style to a grand dame heritage house? Thank your lucky stars!
Then put together a great team of Architectural Designer Ray Murakami, Landscaper George Coito of Coivic, and assemble incredible artists, makers and craftspeople to bring your vision to life. Meet Albert the Ostrich, by artist Josh Gluckstein who inspired Montana’s vision! Take the tour and learn how one of House & Home’s 2026 Designers of the Year created her masterpiece.
To see the house and get the sourcing, pick up our November issue on newsstands now and download it October 10! You can read us on Apple News+, App Store, Zinio, nook, Flipster and PressReader.
The simpler, the better, was the mantra for this bathroom design in a newly built home in Toronto’s North York neighbourhood.
Nyla likens the expansive windows behind the tub to dynamic, living artwork, which impacted the choice of materials used in this space. “If you had more colour or pattern, it would start to take away from the view outside that changes many times through the seasons,” says the designer.
The dark vanity and mirror frame look distinctive against the pale floor and walls.
“The client wanted thoughtful details,” says designer Nyla Free. “For example, the vanity design is very clean, but it has a warm metal base. We played with details and textures. ”Judicious use of inset LED lighting helps highlight elements such as the tub deck and mirror. Honed Appennino marble tile was applied to the bathroom floor, walls, and in the shower for understated texture and interest, with a contrasting Akoya porcelain tub deck.
A vase of tall leafy branches brings the outdoors in.
The shower bench material echoes the vanity counter for cohesion.
Floor-to-ceiling windows flood this bathroom with natural light. The polished porcelain deck defines the bathing space.
House & Home: How long did the project take?
Nyla Free: 6 Months
H&H: What was the style goal?
NF: An unfussy, modern bathroom with plenty of natural light that celebrates nature.
H&H: What was the biggest challenge?
NF: Integrating the lighting on the polished porcelain tub deck was difficult, since it butts up against the shower enclosure
Size:
200 sq.ft.
Custom elements:
Oak vanity with metal base and a backlit mirror that includes a medicine cabinet
Project Scope:
Set the freestanding tub on a platform accented with LED lighting
Design a custom vanity and mirrored medicine cabinet with inset lighting.
Nyla’s Advice:
Define spaces in a larger bathroom by placing the tub on a deck to break up the room and make it feel special.
Moving plumbing fixtures during a renovation, especially toilets, can be costly but will deliver improved function if the existing floor plan isn’t working for you.
Reading to shake up your traditional Thanksgiving menu? Start here.
From Julius Roberts’ fantastic roast chicken to Chuck Hughes’ impressive brisket, we’re sharing alternate mains that are just as warming and festive. Keep on reading to choose your Thanksgiving table’s centerpiece this year.
Vegetarian Lentil and Eggplant Parmentier
A delicious and filling vegetarian dish, this French parmentier swaps the typical minced duck for lentils and eggplants.
Step inside designer Sappho Griffin’s latest farmhouse-inspired project in Tantallon, Nova Scotia. A warm palette of ochre and plum, layered patterns and carefully chosen antiques transform a once-white, builder-basic space into a home packed with character. When the homeowners were struggling with decision fatigue and finding a way to inject personality into their space, Griffin’s answer was to embrace colour, pattern and texture throughout, while giving each area within the open-concept living, dining and kitchen its own identity. Favourite moments include a saturated deep-teal pantry, a colour-blocked wall treatment in the dining nook and a cozy, enveloping bedroom wrapped in Kelly Wearstler wallpaper.
