Two years ago, Toronto expats Erica and Ryan Duffy fell head over heels when they toured their future house in Lions Bay, B.C. The family needed to relocate when a job opportunity came up for Erica, a tech company executive. Lions Bay was attractive because of its family focus, as well as its nearby beach, hiking trails and skiing. Plus, it was only a 20-minute drive from North Vancouver. Though Erica’s job was just a two-year commitment, they decided to stay, making their move west a permanent one. Tucked into a mountainside, the West Coast bungalow had views of Howe Sound and the surrounding forest while Harvey Creek burbled nearby. “Once you head up the steep driveway, it’s very peaceful and the view is spectacular,” says Erica. “You’re surrounded by cedars; it’s like a cabin in the woods.”

Constructed in the late 1960s by West Coast builder Bob Lewis, the nearly 2,000-square-foot bungalow had a classic post-and-beam structure. The bones were great, but the interiors needed serious updating. Peel and stick laminate covered the floors and a wonky rental suite was slapped over the garage. “It was so rotted, you could put your foot through the floor if you stomped hard enough,” says Ryan, a former high school teacher who now runs construction company Timber and Stone Projects. Tudor trimmings such as leaded glass windows and dark-stained elements didn’t suit the family’s modern aesthetic, either. Erica knew exactly who to call. “Ami McKay had to design the house!”

The designer had the dark beams painted a creamy hue in breezy West Coast style. And the rental suite? It was transformed into an inviting kids’ zone, with two bedrooms, a bathroom and a recreation space. Having interiors that felt connected to the landscape and view was important. “As much as possible, we wanted to bring the outside in,” says Erica.

Take a look inside this West Coast bungalow dressed for season!

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Using festive boughs to spruce up your space for the holidays isn’t a new concept, but there are lots of fresh ways to adapt an old tradition. Scroll down to discover 15 unexpected ways to decorate with holiday greenery this season.

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Set the scene for a magical holiday meal with inspiration from these dining rooms, straight from the pages of H&H. These lush and layered tables offer festive ideas for place settings, centrepieces and rustic holiday decorating. Scroll down!

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Looking for sustainable gifts for the holidays? Finding the right present for someone requires a lot of thought, so why not consider some eco-conscious products? Shop our best sustainable gift ideas for the holidays below!

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Originally published in our November 2023 issue, this was one of our most praised cover houses yet. Read all about it on our RSVP page under “Letters about our November 2023 issue.” 

There’s a storybook quality to this cedar shake house in Toronto’s Cabbagetown neighborhood. Dwarfed between two Victorians, the heritage cottage has a unique appeal that wasn’t lost on Colin Baird, an associate designer at TOM Design Studio, and his partner, Chris Bell, a TV studio executive. “We snuck in to see it before it was listed and immediately fell in love,” says Colin. “We knew we had to buy it.”

They purchased the house in 2017. Along with charm, it had a yard for their dog, Cole, and room to grow (they’ve since welcomed their son, Wesley). What the couple loved most was the feeling of the original cottage. When a contractor floated the idea of demolishing the structure, he was quickly shown the door. “We wanted to keep the footprint and honor the original house,” says Colin.

“I think the green keeps it classic.” Swags are attached to sconces and candleholders, and garlands and wreaths dress up windows. “We like to add greenery in unexpected places — it’s an easy way to inject warmth,” adds Chris. This year, the holidays will be spent fireside, reading Wesley holiday classics and playing Christmas music. “It’s the one time of year for us where we lean in to our favorite traditions and the nostalgia of the holidays,” says Colin. “We both have fond memories from our own childhoods, and we want to create those same memories for Wesley here in this house.”

The post A Toronto Designer Renovates An 1878 Workers’ Cottage And Decks The Halls For Christmas appeared first on House & Home.

Between last-minute shopping and baking, this is one of the busiest times of the year. If you haven’t tackled your holiday decorating yet, these minimalist rooms prove you can still pack a lot of festive impact with a pared-down look.

Scroll down for 20+ minimalist holiday decorating ideas!

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This story was originally published in our November 2023 holiday issue.

CeCe Krecsy, who owns Little White House & Co., a lifestyle shop and teahouse in Fort Langley, B.C., and her husband Gene had built a house near Salmon River back in 2017. But when they stumbled onto a ramshackle, two-hectare country property three years later, they fell in love: it had blackberry bushes and an old orchard of plum and apple trees that would produce enough fruit to make organic jam, chutneys and tarts that CeCe could sell at the store.

They bought the place and started by building a new 1,398-square-foot barn; they would stay there during the construction of the main house. Later, it would become a work zone for the shop with a drying area for hydrangeas and a place to prep berries and fruit. Plus, the barn would act as a bunkie for visiting family.

Now that CeCe and Gene’s main house is ready, the barn will be a charming extension of their space during the holidays. “Our plan is to have everyone over on Christmas Eve, with some of the family sleeping in the barn,” says CeCe. We can’t imagine a cosier place to wake up Christmas morning. Sweet dreams.

The post A Newly Built Barn Is Decorated For The Holidays With Fresh Greenery And Vintage Finds appeared first on House & Home.

Whether you’re buying a gift for an expert chef or a beginner cook, we’ve rounded up our favorite cookbooks. From Martha Stewart to Matty Matheson, these are the hottest cookbooks of the year.

Top 10 cookbooks to give:

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If you’re looking to shake up your decorating this season, consider trying some DIY holiday crafts. Here are 12 simple yet festive decorations you can make at home!

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Get into the spirit of the season with a look back at some of the best Christmas trees from the House & Home archives. Whether you prefer subtle decorations with artful wood accents or a more vintage look with rich garlands and antique ornaments, get inspired by magical Christmas trees from these Canadian holiday homes. Scroll down!

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