Custom Upgrades for Penthouse Perfection
An open-concept penthouse gets a
luxury upgrade, revamping every surface, and adding extra touches, including some modern high-tech features.
luxury upgrade, revamping every surface, and adding extra touches, including some modern high-tech features.
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A Shade That Soothes is the 2022 Colour of the Year
Five paint companies and one colour/design institute all agree that sage green, in various nuances, will be 2022’s “it” colour.
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Trends in finishing details for kitchens
Sandrine Vasilakos of Urbana Kitchens shares the latest trends in kitchen design finishings.
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Condo inspections: why you need one
Jan Stuehler of Lighthouse Inspections tells SPRUCE what to be aware of when setting up a proper condo inspection.
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Designer tips to maximize small spaces
SPRUCE outlines some designer tips to maximize small spaces.
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Taking the Plunge: Adding a Pool to Your Home
Jim Brown and Dustin Wiffen of Kilo Pools have seen a surge in demand over the past year. The concrete pool specialists share their insights into building a backyard oasis.
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The Suite Life
Two interior designers transform the underused bedrooms in their home into a welcoming private guest suite.
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Pamela Úbeda – Favourite Piece of Furniture
Pamela Úbeda, Architect and Principal at at Coast + Beam tells SPRUCE about her favourite piece of furniture.
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Creating Community
Guest Contributor Sara Peddle of Western Interior Design Group talks to SPRUCE about how to create a sense of community in spaces.
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A Retreat for All Seasons
This state-of-the-art pergola system extends the usability of this stylish backyard
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Project Profile: the unique style of Freeman Fabrications
SPRUCE talks with Bronté Freeman of Freeman Fabrications about a custom railing project.
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Raubyn Rothschild – Favourite Piece of Furniture
Raubyn Rothschild of Rothschild West tells SPRUCE about her favourite piece of furniture.
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Creating Work/Life Balance: Interior Design Tips for Work-from-Home-Spaces
Interior designer and home stager Josee Lalonde shares advice on creating workspaces in your home that are both practical and beautiful.
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Josée Lalonde Design – Favourite Piece of Furniture
“And now for one of my favorite pieces of furniture…the F598 Groovy Lounge Chair by Pierre Paulin!” “I first saw this chair in one of my clients’ home and it…
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A Happy, Healthy Garden: Growing Food with the Birds and the Bees
Biophilia Design Collective’s Bianca Bodley tells us a beautifully designed garden should be loved by humans and insects alike.
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Design Forward Tips for your Garden
Some easy, design forward tips for your garden from Danée Marie Lambourne of Eden Projects.
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Ivan Meade – Favourite Piece of Furniture
Ivan Meade of Meade Design Group tells SPRUCE about his favourite piece of furniture.
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5 Easy Ways to Create an Inviting Balcony Retreat
Easy ways to create a welcoming condo balcony retreat.
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Take Back Your Home – How the Pandemic is Shaping a New Era of Architecture
Architect Pamela Ubeda tells SPRUCE how the pandemic is shaping a new era of architecture.
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Design Forward Mother’s Day Gifts
Check out some design forward gift ideas for mom this Mother’s Day!
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Favourite Piece of Furniture – Ann Squires Ferguson, Western Interior Group
Ann Squires Ferguson of Western Design Group tells SPRUCE about her favourite piece of furniture.
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Interior Touches That Finish Any Room
Every home can benefit from the ‘soft touch’ when it comes to finishing a room, says Paula Grypma of Outlooks Design Ltd.
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Original Art: The Jewel of Any Home
SPRUCE talks to Art Rental and Sales at the AGGV and to two designers about how art impacts a space.
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Finding the Silver Lining: adapting floor plans to a new reality
Designer Raubyn Rothschild talks to SPRUCE about how she’s revised floor plans for clients during the pandemic.
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Creating your Outdoor Dining Oasis
Bianca Bodley of Biophilia Design Concepts talks to SPRUCE about outdoor dining trends.
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The COVID Effect
There’s no doubt the pandemic has affected the Greater Victoria real estate market. Here’s what the experts think will happen next.
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The Rise of the Flexible, Holistic Space
by Emily Dobby There are immense waves of change taking effect in functional planning, since planning is driven, at its foundation, by how people interact with spaces and one another.…
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Finishing Touch – A Sophisticated Modern Kitchen
For this kitchen in a custom build on a waterfront property in East Sooke, the homeowners wanted minimalist clean lines — and a great space for entertaining.
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The Soft Touch
Paired with whites and pale wood, soft pastel decor can bring a calming Scandinavian style to your space.
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All in the Family: Foxy Banks Build
Sarah MacNeill of Foxy Banks Build talks to SPRUCE about the design of her PEI home.
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On-Trend Colours with Enduring Appeal
Learn more about the Benjamin Moore Colour Trends 2021 palette and Colour of the Year.
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Ask the Expert: Building the Future
Ed Geric, of Mike Geric Construction, believes mass timber is the natural progression for construction on the Island. Spruce talks to him about the material’s strengths and benefits, and why his company is using it for their new condo project.
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Women’s History Month: Favourite Female Creators
Victoria designers tell SPRUCE about their favourite female makers and creators in honour of Women’s History Month.
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Design Trend: The Squiggly Aesthetic
Embrace the aesthetic of the soft, squiggly line – a design trend for 2021 that focuses on bright pastels and whimsical shapes.
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Statement Staircase
To reflect their personal style and open up their fabulous views, downtown Victoria condo owners Deana and Doug replaced a solid metal staircase with an open, airy design.
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A Designer’s Home Makeover
Designer Ben Brannen made some major cosmetic changes that transformed a 1980s townhouse into an inviting and contemporary home.
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Heritage Nouveau
An extensive Fairfield renovation brings a modern esthetic and function to a historic structure.
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Curve Appeal
Architect Franc D’Ambrosio creates a puzzle-fit custom build for a curious, almost triangle-shaped lot on a leafy cul-de-sac in Victoria’s Uplands neighbourhood.
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Unbuilders: Deconstructing a New Supply Chain
Adam Corneil’s Unbuilders is an industry disruptor aimed at diverting construction demolition waste from landfills.
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What’s the best way to find the right professionals for your home reno?
Designer Ines Hanl of The Sky is the Limit Design Interior Design Concepts talks about how to hire the right team for your home renovation.
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Pinterest Predicts: 2021 Trends
Pinterest, the visual discovery engine that many use to pin inspirations and plan their lives, has released Pinterest Predicts, an annual trend report that looks beyond to the biggest trends…
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Jenny Martin Design
“Details make the design,” as Charles Eames once said. There are a myriad of details that make a room unique. The best rooms speak to the people inhabiting them; they…
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3 Ways to Upgrade Your Home Exterior
An expertly painted exterior is critical to a home’s appeal. But there are some important factors to consider when deciding on how to upgrade your home exterior. By Susan Hollis…
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Home Renovation Thoughts for Springtime
There’s a lovely aphorism that Spring is the season of new beginnings. If you’re anything like me, this time of year brings a surge of energy and creativity, making it the perfect time to embark on that big home project, especially one you’ve been putting off.
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Creating a Successful Relationship with Your Realtor
Spruce looks at how to create a beneficial relationship with your real estate agent, whether you are buying or selling.
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Complex Curves
This West Coast home overlooking Haro Strait takes off-the-grid living to new levels.
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Counter Culture
We explore the latest trends in materials, colours and
tech to help you choose the perfect counters.
tech to help you choose the perfect counters.
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Q&A with Architect Christian Foyd
At 519 Design + Build, Christian Foyd brings his Scandinavian design ethic and esthetic to Victoria.
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Style and Stone
The home of the owners of Victoria Stonescape is, not surprisingly, a celebration of the beauty of stone.
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A Designer’s Look at a Heritage Reno
A new homeowner and a passionate design team bring a 104-year-old character home back to life.
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West Coast with an Edge
This striking family home in Saanich is a bold celebration of architectural and engineering Innovation.
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Set the tone for the season with the allure of a fireplace
As leaves change colour and the days get shorter, we look indoors to the alluring warmth of the fireplace. “We wanted to introduce something both timeless and rugged to match…
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The Guest Room Edit: Create a fresh, welcoming space for guests that feels as comfortable as home
BY CAROLYN CAMILLERI Now that people are travelling and visiting again, it’s time to consider your guest room. Is it welcoming and comfortable, fresh and joyful? Does it feel relaxing…
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The Climate-Friendly Home
Aiming for net zero, or as close to it as you can get, is easier now, thanks to a range of innovative solutions and programs available to homeowners. BY ERIN…
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Japanese Inspiration: Eye-catching four-unit townhouse in Sidney
A stacked four-unit townhouse project in Sidney is eye-catching evidence that you can get a lot from a little. BY DAVID LENNAM | PHOTOS BY JAMES JONES It would…
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Finely crafted metalwork from Broadwell Metal is in the spotlight
By CAROLYN CAMILLERI Depending on your perspective, metalwork is a trade, a skill or an art — and sometimes it is all of that together. Adam Ruddell describes himself as…
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Simplicity by Design
Empty nesters downsize from their family home to a condo to simplify their lives BY NESSA PULLMAN | PHOTOS BY DASHA ARMSTRONG Laura and Greg Dowell had talked about downsizing…
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Lakeside Getaway
A Shawnigan Lake build brings a modern twist to this cabin in the woods. BY DANIELLE POPE | PHOTOS BY JODY BECK Ashley Howard has a soft spot for Shawnigan…
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Take the long days of summer into the night with the added warmth and beauty of a fire table
Amy Wilk of Wilk Stove says fire tables have increased in popularity as people focus on making their homes more comfortable — and that includes staying outdoors later. The adjustable…
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New Views on Window Coverings
BY KIM PEMBERTON Making the best choices for your home and needs results in a more comfortable and beautiful living space. When it comes to interior decorating, most people treat…
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Due Diligence: Why home inspections are the first line of defence in a property purchase
BY SHANNON MONEO Russell Cass and his team used to do between 60 to 100 home inspections per month in Greater Victoria. Cass, a home inspector and owner of Home…
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