Category: Blog Posts

H&H’s Senior Editor Wendy Jacob visits the Range Rover House in Muskoka, Ontario

Muskoka is a natural fit for a hardy, off-road brand like Range Rover, which introduced its first luxury SUV in 1970. It’s the site of this year’s Range Rover House on Little Lake Joseph in Muskoka. The house hosted an invitation-only retreat held from August 6-12, 2026, partnering with luxury brands such as The Ritz-Carlton Muskoka, Guerlain, Frette, and Chopard (we previously covered Range Rover houses in Carmel and Whistler, but they are held globally). The picturesque Ontario cottage destination that’s been drawing fans for generations, including celebs like Martin Short, Ryan Reynolds, Shania Twain, and Justin Bieber. Famous for its permanent four-wheel drive and deep-water wading skills, Range Rovers are coveted for their ability to glide over asphalt highways, as well as negotiate challenging terrain like back roads pitted with potholes, and steeply pitched private driveways that jut up from the shore.

Keep scrolling for some of things that I loved from the 2026 Range Rover House in Muskoka!

1. The Architecture

The 2026 Range Rover House is a modernist cottage by Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta. Huge windows frame the surrounding pines without dominating the landscape. The shou sugi ban, or charred cedar exterior, resists rot and insects and seems to melt into the surroundings. 

We are interested in working with the environment when we design a project. — Takeshi Tornier

Snøhetta focuses on architectural, landscape architecture and product design (they are perhaps best known for their design of the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion in NYC). “We are interested in working with the environment when we design a project, analyzing what the topography and local flora and fauna are,” says Takeshi. He took inspiration from the work of Canadian painter Tom Thomson, positioning the windows to reveal perfectly framed views of the landscape through changing seasons.

I was tired of finding acorns under my pillow from errant chipmunks, and a steady stream of flying ants in the old cottage. — George, cottage homeowner

The project started as an overhaul of the boathouse during Covid, but then the focus shifted to demolishing the old family cottage and building a new one to accommodate the cottage owners’ growing family (and six dogs). “I was tired of finding acorns under my pillow from errant chipmunks, and a steady stream of flying ants in the old cottage,” says the owner, George. The new six-bedroom cottage, with its cresting, wave-like profile, easily accommodates a mix of generations in an open plan. “It was important to blend the inside and outdoor spaces, and accommodate everyone in the family.”

2. The Boathouse

The exterior of the angled two-storey boathouse is dynamic, with greyed timber cladding and dramatic glazing that reflects the trees and sky.

3. The Bespoke SV Muskoka Edition

The Range Rover SV Bespoke Muskoka edition takes its cues from the natural local elements: the lake’s water, craggy boulders, and sky.

4. The Dinner

The meal was inspired by the signature base of Guerlain fragrances — or Guerlinade. The dishes complement the Guerlinade’s six ingredients such as Vanilla Plantifolia, Jasmine and Bergamot, and were also accented by wines from Two Sisters Vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

5. The Fragrance

Guerlain’s new L’art & La Matière candles offer customizable options, with an array of jars, a choice of candle refills, plus an option to engrave your candle. The new Les Eaux collection takes inspiration from textiles such as tulle, cashmere, and poplin.

6. The Textiles

Luxury Italian bedding brand Frette shows off The touch tray: an array of fabrics that invites consumers to feel the materials to determine the best sheets for hot or cool sleepers.

6. The Summer Collection

Range Rover’s British Summertime Collection is inspired by tennis culture in a palette of tennis whites, court green, sky blue, and strawberries‑and‑cream hues. Hand‑woven leather wallets and card holders exemplify British craft, while the ceramics are crafted in Stoke‑on‑Trent.

The post 7 Things to Love about the 2026 Range Rover House: Muskoka Edition appeared first on House & Home.

Known for her Ask a Designer™ column in House & Home, Gillian Atkins is no stranger to solving design issues and creating beautiful spaces.

An integral part of her design process is trust and enlisting the right people to execute her vision. Having purchased her first set of appliances at Tasco for a client 10 years ago and impressed with its service, this relationship has only grown stronger.

Here, Gillian shares how Tasco Appliances inspires design confidence.

Q&A

HOUSE & HOME: What do you like about shopping at Tasco?

GILLIAN ATKINS: It’s one-stop shopping since all the top brands are there and on display in the showroom. Tasco recently renovated its showroom and has dedicated a space to premium appliance brands including Sub-Zero, Wolf, Cove and Miele.

H&H: What do you appreciate most about collaborating with Tasco?

GA: I can rely on the staff’s expertise – I trust them and don’t need to micromanage the process. Once I provide my project scope, my Tasco representative develops a package that suits all of the unique requirements.

Video

H&H: When do you start thinking about appliances during the design process?

GA: The appliance discussion happens early because it’s about how the homeowner uses the kitchen. If they are an amateur chef who wants a 48” range with strong venting it impacts the entire kitchen design and layout.

A modern kitchen needs sleek appliances, while a country kitchen requires classic shapes and warm details. It’s nice to be able to walk your clients through the showroom to narrow down the choices. I depend on the knowledgeable Tasco staff to point out the latest innovations and steer us in the right direction.

H&H: What Tasco brands do you consistently search out?

GA: I really like the Freedom side-by-side fridge and freezer columns by Thermador. These investment appliances also come in panel-ready and are one of the few models that seamlessly disappear into the surrounding millwork.

H&H: Has there been an appliance that has inspired you to adapt a design?

GA: Definitely the La Cornue range…if you know, you know.

For showroom hours and locations, visit Tasco’s website.

Read why more designers choose Tasco

• James Davie Talks Tasco and the Importance of Great Service
• Designer Farah Altoumah Puts Her Trust in Tasco

The post Gillian Atkins Relies on Tasco To Help Execute Her Design Vision appeared first on House & Home.

We asked Canadian chefs to share the outdoor grills they swear by — so take it from the pros: these are some of the very best.

From charcoal to gas, find your next barbecue below.

David Schwartz

“I’m a fan of Napoleon’s higher-end charcoal barbecues because the designs are really well thought out. I’ll often use the barbecue to meal prep; I grill chicken and vegetables that my family and I can eat over a few days,” says David. “It’s also a bonus that Napoleon is a Canadian company!”

Eden Grinshpan

“This grill is extremely powerful — it heats to temp within five minutes and has a very even heat distribution which makes grilling more consistent,” says Eden. “We grill a lot in the summer: lamb and chicken skewers (my husband’s specialty), lots of vegetables and whole-roasted branzino.”

Coulson Armstrong

“This is the ultimate dad barbecue. You got charcoal, but there’s an electric lighter that helps you so you’re not mucking around with lighter fluid. There’s a table on the side for drinks and extra prep, and the storage underneath is very handy. It’s also on wheels.”

Connie Desousa and John Jackson

“This is where we smoke all the classics: Texas-style brisket, ribs, pork shoulder, and chicken. But it’s also where we love to experiment. One of our favourite cooks was taking a 20-pound whole octopus and turning it into smoked octopus bacon. If it benefits from clean wood smoke, the Yoder is where it starts.”

Lawrence La Pianta

“This is one of the best grills on the market for its price,” says Lawrence. “You can grill hot and fast or build a fire to one side, and use it as an indirect cooker for smoked dishes or reverse searing steaks.”

The post Canadian Chefs Share Their Favourite Barbecues appeared first on House & Home.

Amagansett on Long Island, N.Y., is a rugged and relaxed hamlet in East Hampton — a place where tall grasses sway in the breeze next to wide expanses of dune-dotted beach.

Amagansett is also where renowned Canadian interior designers George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg love to while away summer days at their 2,700-square-foot, four-bedroom beach house, taking in golden sunsets from their terrace. For the couple, it’s a vacation spot that almost never was, discovered only by chance. “We were on a flight from Heathrow to New York, going through The Sunday Times,” says Glenn. “We started looking at properties just to pass the time. This one stood out. It was right on the Atlantic, between two large dunes that sheltered it from summer storms.”

George and Glenn have bustling offices in Toronto and Manhattan — and the NYC office is just a two-hour drive from Amagansett. They also travel constantly, overseeing their retail, residential and hospitality projects in Tokyo, Berlin, Athens, and elsewhere around the globe. Suddenly, newspaper open, they began daydreaming about a getaway from the daily grind, a place to reset. “A sense of freedom, that barefoot way of living, is what drew us in,” says George. “Quiet and seclusion are very important to us.”

They bought the property in 2006. There was an existing house on the lot, but it didn’t take full advantage of the panoramic ocean views. The process of acquiring permits tear down and rebuild was slow, but the designers didn’t mind. “We had the luxury of time,” says Glenn. “It took five years before the beach house was complete, which gave us the opportunity to make decisions more deliberately.”

In the interim, they visited often. “Spending time walking the site allowed us to truly understand the land — the topography, the vegetation, the shifting sand dunes,” says George. “The experience informed every decision, from how we positioned the openings to how we brought in light and air.”

The resulting beach house, designed in collaboration with local architect Frederick Stelle, is laid out over two levels. To sit lightly on the land and frame the most expansive views, the main living areas are contained in a cantilevered, glass-walled box on the upper level, which features glass and wood slat panels that slide open on two walls to allow the breeze to flow through — the ultimate in natural ventilation.

The upper volume seemingly floats over a breezy, semi-sheltered patio and the main-level guest quarters. “The two guest bedrooms and six-person bunk room are downstairs,” says Glenn. “We have people over all the time, so the main level takes on a life of its own. It allows everyone to be together while still maintaining a bit of personal space.”

Upstairs is where the couple spends most of their time. The beach setting and interior design are deeply connected, especially when the glass and wood slat panels are open to the ocean breeze, blurring the lines between the indoors and the landscape. “The kitchen, dining and living areas are open, with a terrace just off the main space,” says Glenn. “The principal suite is also on this level, so everything we need for daily life happens on one floor.”

For the designers, what matters most is that it feels easy. “There’s an informality to the house that we really value; we don’t have to explain how it works,” says George. “Guests just find their way, and that’s when you know the space is truly working.” That sense of ease is reflected in the interiors. In the living room, facing a panorama of the Atlantic Ocean, a plush sectional is surrounded by low-slung lounge chairs. The bedrooms are spare yet comfortable with minimal decorative accents. “It’s all casual,” says George. “And the way it’s arranged tells you it’s OK to relax. Our guests put their feet up and move things around — that’s exactly how it should be.”

For the interiors, the look is clean-lined, modern and unfussy. “Nothing’s precious,” says George. “We wanted a feeling of getting lost, almost like being on a deserted sandy island, disconnected from day-to-day life. A remote, castaway quality — very calm.” The overall aesthetic is one of organic simplicity and serenity.

Glenn also loves the place as a retreat from their busy lives. “We return as often as we can,” he says. “We try to spend as much time here as possible over the summer because it gives us something we don’t get in Toronto or New York — that sense of quiet and distance is vital for a few months each year. For us, it’s not just about escaping, it’s about resetting.”

Open from May to October, the beach house is their haven, a place for informal entertaining and getting inspired. They’ve welcomed smaller groups but have also hosted 80-person lobster dinners on the beach. Hugh Jackman has come for a casual picnic-style gathering, and other visitors have included Bonnie Brooks and Tommy Smythe. “Keeping in mind that George and Glenn are responsible for the look and feel of the most important global hospitality brands, their vacation home is, of course, just as considered,” says Tommy. “The way the house is situated, you feel like you’re sitting on the beach — the only difference is that you’re actually sitting on gorgeous, comfortable furniture with a drink in your hand, music is playing and George’s incredible food is at your fingertips.”

The post Inside George Yabu And Glenn Pushelberg’s Stunning Modern Retreat In Amagansett appeared first on House & Home.

Today’s firepits have come a long way.

Designers and homeowners are turning outdoor conversation areas into sleek focal points with contemporary fire features that double as sculpture. Here are some of our favorite looks from the H&H archives.

“They really wanted that indoor-outdoor living space,” says designer Kyla Ray of Carey Price’s Kelowna home. The sleek outdoor firepit nestled in the woods offers a peaceful place to unwind. An outdoor kitchen with a smoker, pizza oven and fridge is on the other side of the fireplace.

A covered porch off this family room is equipped with a sleek fire table and radiant ceiling heaters for cooler nights.

Overlooking sprawling Ontario farmland, the sleek modern fire table serves as a sculptural focal point beside the pool, seamlessly blending into the surrounding landscape.

Lyndon Cormack’s vintage trailer is encased in a modern wood carport with an adjacent deck boasting a modern firepit.

A generous outdoor lounge space in this B.C. backyard is set with comfortable sofas and a modern fire pit that doubles as a table.

House & Home

Leave it to landscape designer George Coito to create an epic statement in his own backyard in Oakville, Ontario. The sleek sitting area features a stone fire table surrounded by sculptural orbs.

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When these homeowner were contemplating their North Beaches backyard, they wanted to channel summer vibes into the fall with a covered cabana and firepit.

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Purchased before the house was built, this modern fire bowl was part of the inspiration for the overall palette of designer and architect Patrick Warren’s B.C. retreat.

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In this sleek Montreal backyard, a gas Corten steel fire feature is set on natural black slate stones that contrast with the concrete pavers.

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“I’ve sat at the fire table on November mornings with a latte and a throw, but it also brings an ambience on a summer evening and really adds to the yard,” says the homeowner.

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In this cottage-style home in Lions Bay, B.C., designer Ami McKay (pictured right) re-imagined every space of the circa-1965 house. An outdoor lounge area with a contemporary fire table is a favorite hangout spot for entertaining and taking in the view.

House & Home

The outdoor living room in Hali and Andrew MacDonald’s country estate has a firepit and comfy woven furniture, perfect for enjoying a glass of wine in the evening.

House & Home

“More hard surfaces means less maintenance,” says landscape architect Inese Bite. A simple flagstone patio and sculptural firepit anchor this intimate conversation area.

September 2017

Backyard expert Sarah Keenleyside wanted a place to gather around a firepit with here family. This round version is given more presence with a curved herringbone concrete brick walkway that follows the contours of the firepit.

House & Home

The post A Modern Firepit is the Spark Your Backyard Needs appeared first on House & Home.

Whether it’s beach house off B.C.’s Sunshine Coast or an artsy condo in the heart of Vancouver, the West Coast has been the source of some outstanding homes in H&H over the years.

It’s time to celebrate these natural beauties, which always seem to make the most of the breathtaking local scenery. Scroll down for the best West Coast homes from the pages of House & Home!

Carey and Angela Price’s Modern Farmhouse in Kelowna, B.C.

For Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price, being surrounded by nature is an antidote to life in the white-hot glare of professional hockey. When him and his wife Angela bought a rustic house with mountain views in Kelowna, B.C., as an off-season escape, they hired designer Kyla Ray to renovate, redecorate and carve out a more private guest space. Kyla describes the style as “modern farmhouse,” including shiplap, black fixtures, textured grasscloth and fireclay tile. 

A Remote, Oceanfront Cottage on North Thormanby Island

“We love to boat,” says homeowner Mike Chiu. “We visited Thormanby often and fell in love with it.” In 2017, him and his wife Sarah bought a little A-frame cottage on the island, but when a piece of beachfront came up for sale, they jumped at the opportunity. “We decided to build our forever place,” says Mike. The couple partnered with Mark Osburn of O/C Architecture, a firm known for its waterfront projects. “Mark designed an amazing open-plan cottage with sweeping views of the water,” says Sarah.

Emma Reddington’s Mid-Century Modern Home In North Vancouver

As House & Home’s Deputy Editor, Emma Reddington finds daily inspiration in the array of well-designed spaces that cross her desk. But when she and her husband purchased a 3,500-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-bathroom house in North Vancouver, B.C., during the pandemic’s real-estate frenzy, she was the furthest from inspired she’d ever been. Emma rose to the design challenge, partnering with Darcy Hanna and Emma Sims of Vancouver design firm &Daughters to bring the home’s copious green walls, maple floors and popcorn ceilings into a new century. Using the original cedar ceiling as a jumping-off point, the trio leaned in to North Vancouver’s classic mid-century modern houses to reimagine the space in minimalist lines, rich textures and natural materials.

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A Minimalist Victoria House With Classic West Coast Style

The design brief for this 3,500-square-foot, three-level newly built house designed by Bidgood was to be equal parts light and contemporary, with a footprint that would comfortably fit the whole family. “Our client wanted warm, inviting and timeless,” says lead designer Christi Rivard of Bidgood. The design team opted for a subdued overall color palette that favored texture, warmth and softness, with bolder hits coming from mid-tone furniture, colorful abstract rugs, ochre accents and locally commissioned art.

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A Contemporary Cottage On Halfmoon Bay

Patrick Warren and Kevin Kaufman searched high and low for a place to build a cottage that would reflect their free-spirited ethos. From the Gulf Islands to commuter community Bowen Island, nothing felt exactly right…until they found Halfmoon Bay on the Sunshine Coast. Their half-hectare lot overlooked the Georgia Strait, a historical lighthouse on a nearby island and a seal colony. After visiting Japan and seeing the ryokans in Kyushu (traditional inns with pared-down amenities like tatami mats and futon beds), the couple was inspired. “We loved the way the dark buildings receded into the shadows of the forest,” says Patrick. “The natural materials created a unity with their environment, a soothing counterpoint that felt very restorative.”

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A Downtown Vancouver Pied-À-Terre

Imagine a ferry terminal at your doorstep, where one stop on the Aquabus brings you across False Creek to Granville Island for fresh produce, followed by a stroll to Fisherman’s Wharf for the morning’s catch of the day. Weekends are spent wandering the seawall and relaxing at Sunset Beach before heading up more than 20 storeys to watch the sun sink into the ocean. This is Vancouver living at its best, and the reason why these owners, a couple who work in import-export and media, respectively, bought a 1,200-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath condo at 888 Beach. “In so many ways, it’s the essence of downtown Vancouver,” says designer Chad Falkenberg of the building’s prime location.

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A Newly Built Home Near The Edmonton River Valley

“It was important to us to be near the river valley,” says the homeowner of her three-year search for the right home. When a tiny house in the Glenora neighborhood came up in 2019, her and her husband jumped. It was near Edmonton’s city core and sat on a private, pie-shaped lot flanked by two lanes; here, they could build a home from the ground up. “My father always said, ‘You build a house on what a lot offers, not what you want the house to be,’” she says. The couple turned to Gino, Sophia’s 87-year-old, now retired father to design the house. To realize his vision, they hired Calgary’s Alloy Homes for the build. When the envelope was nearly complete, Alykhan Velji Designs stepped in to tackle the interiors.

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A Serene Whistler Ski Retreat

They say that if you want to own a house in Whistler, B.C., you have to go Full Cabin: wood beams, nostalgic memorabilia and all. But Melissa Meehan, a Whistler regular, was looking for something lighter and fresher. When she and her husband, Paul, who are both entrepreneurs in Vancouver, began hunting for a four-season weekend home for themselves and their three ski-mad children, Melissa knew exactly what she didn’t want: “No knotty pine. No tartan. No skis on the wall.” They found a contemporary house built for a developer by architect Brent Murdoch and decorated by Vancouver designer Denise Ashmore. It sits at the edge of a golf course on a quiet cul-de-sac, with views of Whistler, Blackcomb and Rainbow mountains.

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A Designer’s Vancouver Ranch Home

Designer, cookbook writer and bakery owner Rosie Daykin has a knack for focusing her love of all things English through a Canadian West Coast lens. She and her husband, Paul, bought this 3,000-square-foot, mid-century ranch house 14 years ago and upgraded it with British-inspired decorating.

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A Vancouver Island Duplex With Coastal Charm

This 910-square-foot Vancouver Island duplex has it all: outdoor spaces on both levels, a private beach and a separate art studio, all of which take in views of a quiet inlet that’s minutes from downtown Victoria. Local restaurateurs Shellie and Mike Gudgeon worked with BoForm architect Chris Foyd and designers Christi Rivard and Kyla Bidgood of Bidgood + Co. on the clever build. When the couple’s daughter, Isabella, wanted her own space, the time seemed right to take down the existing 1960s house — worn from its long years of service as a rental property — and build anew. The new house would be a duplex with a top-floor apartment for Isabella and a ground-floor rental suite.

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A Bowen Island Retreat With Mountain & Ocean Views

Nestled on a three-hectare site on Bowen Island — a tranquil community with beaches, hiking and biking trails just a 20-minute ferry ride from West Vancouver — this dwelling has an unspoiled mountain and ocean view that is the stuff of workday fantasies. The three-bedroom, 2,900-square-foot house, with its green roof, locally sourced cedar cladding and minimal footprint, blends in to the surroundings while providing a place for the owners, a pair of busy Vancouver physicians and their two young children, to relax and recharge.

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The post The Best of the West: Nature-inspired Homes From Canada’s Pacific Coast appeared first on House & Home.

There’s something so special about small, secret retreats.

From bunkies and backyard studios to campers and compact summer houses, these small-but-mighty retreats prove that great design isn’t defined by square footage. Whether you’re looking to work, unwind or play, these tiny escapes are full of inspiration.

A Modern, Scandi-style Prefab Cabin

This compact yet sleek dwelling is perched on the granite ridges of the Canadian Shield surrounded by forest.

Homeowners Cathy and Mike Cicchini had long been drawn to the idea of a tiny home but knew they didn’t want anything on wheels. When Cathy found The Backcountry Hut Company, a specialist in prefab dwellings, she loved everything about the designs. “Backcountry was so different from any other kind of prefab out there,” she says. “The cabins have a European, Scandinavian feel.” Cathy and Mike purchased the System 02 model designed by Leckie Studio. 

A Vintage Camper Turned Guest Retreat In North Vancouver

When it was time to add a guest retreat and office to Lyndon Cormack and Tori Quarles’ Woodlands house in North Vancouver, they knew the new spaces would need to be playful. “My properties are lived-in, shoes-on kind of places,” he says. “I’m not into big, glossy and new. I like patina and things that have a story to tell.” They wanted a separate guest space for friends, away from the busy mornings with Lyndon’s two daughters at the main house. It also needed to be memorable and worlds away from a hotel experience. A shiny, 31-foot-long, 1953 Spartan Spartanette camper in South Carolina caught Lyndon’s eye on an auction site. He won it, and the camper journeyed west, navigating the hairpin turns on switchback roads that led to the family property.

A Cottage Bunkie on Lake Muskoka

Designer Parris McKenna’s bunkie is an elevated yet comfortable mini cottage that stands a short distance away from the main house, separated by a little stream, and it’s become a special spot for visitors who’ve travelled from afar to experience Ontario’s cottage country.

Parris and her husband, Fraser, bought the nearly one-and-a-half-hectare property outside of Gravenhurst in 2021. In December 2023, they enlisted Cottage Country Builders to construct a four-season bunkie, which took seven months to complete. “We love to host family from out of town,” says Parris. “Our goal was to give guests their own space where they could feel completely comfortable.”

An Art-filled Creative Studio

Tucked away in artist Virginia Johnson’s Toronto garden, you can find her secret sanctuary. “I’d never had an art studio,” she says. “Creating this space was about valuing that more and acknowledging that it’s important to me.” The exterior has a time-honored look with traditional doors and reclaimed bricks.

A 250-Square-Foot Cottage Bunkie

Inspired by its stunning surrounding landscape, this small cottage bunkie in Lake Muskoka is decorated in a soothing palette of blue, green and brown. “You embrace the environment and the view out the windows and go with that,” says designer James Davie. With the shell already constructed, and plumbing and electrical roughed in, James got to work applying the finishing layers.

A Sunny Yellow Camper

Designer Reena Sotropa, who heads up Reena Sotropa In House Design Group in Calgary, had been scouring Kijiji for a year before she spotted and adopted Poppy, a sunshine-yellow trailer from Saskatchewan. Named for the canvas top that can be popped up 18 inches when parked, the circa-1970, six- by 10-foot rig became a welcome addition to the designer’s family.

House & Home June 2020

While friends with big RVs need up to 90 minutes to set up their rigs, Reena says Poppy is ready in 10 minutes, and she’s so light she can be moved by hand. “We can do a water and electrical hookup, but the beauty of this trailer is that we can fit it in the smallest of campsites and be self-sufficient,” says the designer. “We can plug in power for our lights, or we operate off marine batteries.” In her off-hours, Poppy is compact enough to get parked in the garage and doesn’t require an SUV to tow her.

House & Home June 2020

Reena found that drawers were more functional than shelves in the new MDF cabinets. She uses the wood veneer-clad alcove as a pantry. In the kitchen area, Reena replaced the full-height cabinets with white oak millwork because she needed a counter. The food is stored in a cabinet next to the icebox, a cooler in the SUV and on the counter. Recessed pulls were another nautical-inspired find; traditional pulls would just catch on the family’s belt loops in the compact space.

House & Home June 2020

The back cushions slide down to form a mattress with the seat cushions, “like a jigsaw puzzle,” says Reena. A custom “bed cap” covers the cushions. She had two floating shelves installed to act as bedside tables, and new sconces illuminate camping-themed watercolors.

A Secret Studio in the City

The studio of landscape designer Meredyth Hilton of Artistic Gardens is set at the base her Toronto garden in a lush setting of peonies, roses, hornbeam trees and boxwoods.

House & Home May 2020

Meredyth’s sheltered porch is an ideal spot for her shade-loving ferns. The family’s two lovebirds, named G and T, hang out next to the vintage granite trough that was repurposed as an ice bucket.

House & Home May 2020

A Backyard Shed Turned Home Office

Screenwriter Tassie Cameron retreats to a backyard shed to write her award-winning series. The original circa-1940s shed exterior was preserved to keep the rustic look. “When I bought this house in Toronto’s Little Portugal neighborhood in 2012, this shed came with it,” she says. “We used it for storage, but my designer, Mary-Beth Jenner, convinced me that, with some time and money, it could be a four-season writing space: it’s as warm as my house.”

House & Home September 2018

“We have a lovely house to hang out in, but my daughter, Sadie, and I will often play games here because it’s so cozy and casual,” says Tassie. “When I ask friends if they want to sit in the living room by the fire, sometimes they just prefer to head out to the shed. It’s a great spot for a glass of wine.”

House & Home September 2018

“This desk belonged to my parents,” says Tassie. “It’s from the farm I grew up on and it just fits in here so well.”

House & Home September 2018

Tassie often brings in fresh flowers from the garden. Her mother, journalist Stevie Cameron, gave her an antique wooden letter writing box. “My favorite thing about this shed is the light from all sides — including from above, because of the skylight,” says Tassie. “To be able to sit in a quiet, bright, solitary space away from the doorbell and the dishwasher really provides a place to focus that I usually can’t find.”

House & Home September 2018

The post Tiny Escapes: The Best Bunkies, Campers and Hideaways appeared first on House & Home.

One of the easiest ways to transform an outdoor space is to consider not just what you plant — but what you plant it in.

Here are some of the best urns and planters to buy now!

VENUS

For a modern approach, try a polyethylene resin pot in a smooth black finish.

CONTES

This fibre-clay composite vessel is perfect for leafy plants and trees.

ANTIQUE BOWL

A polyester resin and sandstone planter that nods to the shapes of vintage ceramics.

NEWPORT

The textured finish adds dimension to this Tuscan-style ceramic pot.

FICONSTONE PEDESTAL

The sleek footed composite planter is frost-proof and has a washed finish.

LOUIS V VINTAGE

This shapely pottery vase was salvaged from the countryside of northern China.

DEMI 16

Made in Canada from a stone-plastic composite, this contemporary planter is defined by elegant fluting.

OLIVIA

Handcrafted with clay using a traditional Tuscan method, this amphora-shaped pot has an old world feel.

The post Timeless Urns and Planters For Your Outdoor Space appeared first on House & Home.

Designer Michelle Lloyd Bermann has always understood the transformative power of white.

Long before she reimagined her family’s Ontario cottage on Snake Island into the sophisticated summer house it is today, she was well-known to H&H readers — first through Lloyd Ralphs Design, the firm she co-founded with the late Christine Ralphs, and now through Michelle Lloyd Bermann Design — for interiors that feel both layered and refined.

So, it’s fitting that the cottage H&H first featured in July 2007, affectionately known as Caprice, has evolved in much the same way: still breezy and personal but now more polished and, as Michelle puts it, “more glamorous.”’

From the water, Caprice feels tucked into the trees, with a boathouse at the shoreline and broad lake-facing decks. What makes the cottage memorable, though, is not just the setting; it’s the way Michelle and her husband, David Bermann, have shaped it over time. Four years ago, the pair undertook a reno that added roughly 350 square feet. “We wanted to spend more time in nature gardening, and enjoying time with our family and friends,” says Michelle.

For Michelle, Caprice is more than just a finished project; it’s a reflection of how she and David like to live. “It’s been collected over time, loved over time and built over time,” she says. The layered rooms, soft palette and deeply personal mix of pieces feels both composed and completely relaxed. The result is a summer home with real character — one that suits its owners as beautifully as it suits the lake setting.

“It’s been collected over time, loved over time and built over time.” — Designer Michelle Lloyd Bermann

The original structure was charming if basic — uninsulated, with bare interior walls — but, today, it’s an insulated, single-storey, one-bedroom cottage with a boathouse that includes a sitting room below and a bedroom and bathroom above. Michelle didn’t want to lose the cottage’s easy, whitewashed charm, but she did want to sharpen it. Adding horizontal pine boards gives the rooms more composition and structure, and woven textures and pale woods keep the interiors soft and tactile. “I chose raffia because I love it,” says Michelle. “It gives a natural, casual feeling.” Meanwhile, art and vintage pieces add depth and personality. “The cottage is more sophisticated and worldly now,” she adds.

That sense of worldliness comes honestly. Michelle and David have spent years collecting vintage furniture, lighting, dishes and art. Downsizing from their Toronto house to a pied-à-terre presented them with an opportunity to give some of their pieces a new life. “We decided to take special pieces that we’d loved for so many years up to the lake for the island habitat,” says Michelle. “Before, it was more cottagey. Now, it looks quite glamorous.” The mix is classic Michelle: refined yet relaxed.

The kitchen, for example, is Ikea but reads custom, thanks to sleek cabinets, a concealed counter-depth fridge and Michelle’s design direction. “I love high-low,” she says.

Instead of an island, she opted for a series of tables that acts simultaneously as a dining surface and desk. “I wanted to do a kitchen table instead of an island; it feels very European,” she says. “We work at that table while looking at the lake.”

Nearby, the new living room stretches out in a sweep of white upholstery, natural wicker and those lake views, anchored by the original sculptural black fireplace. Vintage wicker daybeds serve as sofas by day and extra guest beds by night. Michelle recently installed a wall hanging she purchased years ago in India behind the fireplace, giving the room one of its most memorable moments. “It kind of shimmers; it’s very ’70s,” she says.

Summer life here is as considered as the decorating. Friends drift over from nearby cottages and the mainland, and family gathers around the long table set with colourful ceramics Michelle has collected from around the world.

In the boathouse, David’s former windsurfing zone has been reimagined as a music room where the couple hosts impromptu dance parties and jam sessions with their grandsons. Their daughter, Olympia Gayot, brings another artistic thread to the family story: she’s creative director at J.Crew, and one of her artworks hangs in the boathouse.

Carefully curated vintage pieces give the guest bedroom in the boathouse its own distinct personality. David hand-gilded and marbleized the shell table, and the pendant is a piece from the 1970s.

Layers of sisal, straw and linen give the principal bedroom an easy sense of calm.

The compact bathroom is streamlined, with simple forms and pale finishes offering a serene environment.

A palm tree photograph by Christine Ralphs and a raffia-topped twig table lamp reinforce the cottage’s relaxed, layered mood.

The wall hanging adds a subtle shimmer in the living room.

The post Designer Michelle Lloyd Bermann’s Lake Simcoe Cottage Feels Collected, Chic And Deeply Personal appeared first on House & Home.

For Lead Designer Richard Gingras, great furniture is never the work of one person. While thoughtful design sets the vision, it’s the expertise and dedication of the artisans throughout the Quebec workshop that bring every piece to life. Canadel believes in manufacturing products that are hand-assembled and hand-finished to create furniture that’s made to be lived with for generations.

Every piece tells a story – not only of the artisans who carefully built it, but also of the families who welcome it into their homes.

Q&A

HOUSE & HOME: What does Canadel’s 44 years of craftsmanship mean to you?

RICHARD GINGRAS: It represents a precious body of knowledge passed down from one generation to the next. Every piece tells a story — not only of the artisans who carefully built it, but also of the families who welcome it into their homes.

H&H: Tell us about the skilled hands behind every Canadel piece.

RG: Every piece of furniture passes through the hands of skilled craftspeople at every stage of its production. From assembly and gluing to sanding, distressing, painting and the application of lacquer, as well as sewing and upholstery, every detail is completed with the utmost care.

H&H: How do you want homeowners to feel when they sit down at a Canadel table for the first time?

RG: I hope they immediately feel a sense of comfort, belonging, confidence and pride. A dining table is much more than a piece of furniture; it’s where people gather, celebrate milestones, share stories and create memories.

H&H: Why does Canadian-made furniture resonate with homeowners today?

RG: Today’s homeowners are increasingly thoughtful about the products they bring into their homes. They value quality, sustainability and authenticity. Canadian-made furniture offers all of those qualities while supporting local craftsmanship. People also appreciate knowing where their furniture comes from and the care that goes into making it.

H&H: Why is customization such an important part of the Canadel experience?

RG: Customization allows homeowners to create furniture that reflects both their lifestyle and personal aesthetic. Every family and every home are different, so the ability to personalize dimensions, finishes, fabrics and details ensures each piece feels authentic to the way people live.

H&H: How have dining spaces changed and has it influenced how you design for customers today?

RG: Open-concept living has made it important for furniture to flow seamlessly across dining, kitchen and living spaces, inspiring coordinated collections. At the same time, smaller households and a renewed focus on entertaining have increased demand for versatile pieces, such as extendable tables, that easily adapt to different occasions and lifestyles.

H&H: You’ve worked at Canadel for 25 years. What keeps you inspired?

RG: The constant challenge of creating something new while remaining true to our commitment to quality and craftsmanship. I’m also proud to be part of a Canadian, family-owned company that values the expertise and dedication of skilled artisans. There’s a strong sense of collaboration and pride.

One of a Kind

Canadel’s furniture is customizable down to the finest details. Choose from a wide selection of shapes, sizes, materials, finishes, wood colours, fabrics and decorative details. Online, a configurator lets you personalize your furniture and see it come to life before you order.

The post The Hands Behind the Craft appeared first on House & Home.