Another year, another collection of stunning Canadian homes. As we bid farewell (or is it good riddance?) to 2020, we revisit some of the most jaw-dropping and inspiring home tours that blew us away this year. Not even a global pandemic could stop the creativity of these homeowners and designers. We can’t wait to see what the new year will bring.
Vintage Vibes
This exquisitely organized, plant-filled home in Toronto’s west end gives us serious vintage vibes. From the pops of colour and contrasting textures to the antiques sprinkled throughout the space, this bold and beautiful haven is an absolute dream. Take the full tour of this bright Toronto home.
Pretty in Pink
Home decor YouTuber Alexandra Gater has an Instagram-worthy apartment – and only 860-square-feet of space to work with when it comes to decor. We loved her pretty-in-pink makeover – a look that is both warm and wildly imaginative. See for yourself why this tiny Toronto rental is considered a masterclass in DIY design.
Cozy & Compact
When it came to house-hunting, these homeowners wanted nothing more than to be immersed in nature. So when they found this majestic property in Lakefield, Ontario – which also featured a time-worn barn – they saw plenty of potential. Not only is this peaceful, multi-functional cabin an escape from the city, but it’s brimming with DIY details – like this handcrafted L-shaped wooden bar. See more of this dreamy heritage home.
Modern Warmth
As the co-owner a Montreal lifestyle boutique, Laurence Marinacci knows a thing or two about curating fabulous decor. So, when he and husband Jeff built a new home for themselves and their three kids, he wanted something stunning yet family-friendly. This Scandi mid-century modern kitchen is the perfect blend of modern and vintage. Learn more about how this bright Montreal home mixes family-style fun with flair.
Coastal Chic
This 1,200-square-foot Kitsilano condo went from cramped to positively spacious thanks to a few renovations. Our favourite part? The waterfall island (with heavy veining) and wood-topped stools that add a bit of warmth to an otherwise white kitchen. Peep inside this coastal-inspired Vancouver condo.
A Clean Slate
If you love a sleek, contemporary aesthetic with some quirky personality thrown in, look no further than this chic Toronto home in the Corktown neighbourhood. It was all in the details for these homeowners, who wanted a comfortable and functional home that also felt worthy of a magazine spread. Feeling inspired? Take the full tour of this art-filled Toronto new-build.
Cottage Retreat
This rustic property on Ontario’s Redstone Lake is 1,500-square-feet of contemporary Canadiana. One of its many show-stopping features includes a dining room table made of solid 700-hundred-pound acacia logs. The black wishbone-style chairs complement the wood trim around the window while the rattan seats keep things looking natural. See more of this contemporary cottage in the heart of Haliburton.
Boho Beauty
This outdated 1970s-era home was transformed into a boho-inspired beauty packed with plenty of plants and pops of colour. The fireplace, originally “a fire-engine red”, was elevated by a DIY spackling technique called “German smear” that resembles old European buildings. Genius! Take the full tour of this Instagram-worthy home and watch the video walk-through of this jaw-dropping space.
West Coast Feels
Not all modern homes are cold, sterile and covered in concrete. In fact, this West Vancouver home proves the exact opposite. While the space certainly demonstrates many of the common traits attributed to the modern aesthetic, this reno balanced it all out with West Coast-inspired decor that gives off some major cozy feels. Find out more about how these homeowners struck a balance between modern design and warmth.
Portrait of the Artist
Artist Jen Duffin turned a blank-canvas apartment in Montreal’s Little Italy neighbourhood into a captivating, colourful space for herself and her family. One step inside this bold and inviting kitchen, for example, and you’re confronted with fun accents, plenty of plants and colourful accessories. Take the full tour of this apartment that boasts plenty of bright ideas and check out these cheap and cheerful ways to perk up your rental kitchen.
Victorian Gothic
Built in 1904, this Victorian home in Westmount, Quebec was in desperate need of a little TLC. Which is exactly what the homeowners did as soon as they took possession. This living room, featuring contemporary light fixtures and stylish gallery wall, even has a secret. The zebra is actually Samsung’s “The Frame” television. See more of how this Montreal designer brought an old Victorian back to life.
On the Straight and Narrow
You don’t need wide open spaces to get creative when it comes to home decor and renovations. The owners of this small new-build in Vancouver’s eclectic Fraser neighbourhood wanted a lot: a well-designed home, personalized enough so they could enjoy it now, yet neutral enough for easy resale down the road. This narrow kitchen perfectly encapsulates that vision. Find out just how they transformed their space into a cheerful and functional home.
Material World
This renovated space dials up the warmth and simplified sophistication with a neutral, layered colour scheme that is both soothing and modern. The custom-made barn wood shelves on either side of the TV are a genius touch while the subtle shiplap accent wall pulls the room together. Want to see more? Take the full tour of this Bradford, ON new-build.
Peak Canadiana
Located in Chelsea, Quebec, a small community north of the city with access to cross-country skiing trails, this recently converted cottage has us feeling all patriotic. From the jaw-dropping ceiling to the cozy wood-burning fireplace, what’s not to love about this adorable cottage near Ottawa?
In Black and White
This 1,800-square-foot, two-storey home in Prince Edward County needed a little bit of love and attention upon purchase, but it’s farmhouse-style kitchen is an absolute keeper. Contrasting the lower and upper cabinetry added to the rustic charm while bringing into modern times. See more of how this house mixes rustic and contemporary charm.
Sweet Dreams
It sounds like a dream: taking over a family-owned rental property as your very own. For this homeowner, the dream of acquiring the 800-square-foot house came with some reality checks. But with a few tweaks and renovations, it became a whole new world. Find out more about how this dreamy Toronto home went from outdated to outstanding.
A Moveable Redesign
What do we love most about this rental space? The fact that this Toronto home has a bold style that can move with its owner. From the jolts of colour and mix of furniture styles, all can be packed up and taken away. After all, why leave all the best bits behind?
Light Fantastic
These retired homeowners spend their winters in the Bahamas (or at least they did pre-COVID), so it’s not surprising they wanted to introduce that sunny aesthetic in their Vancouver home. With a little professional help, they created a custom contemporary new-build that featured the perfect balance of warmth and texture. As for the skylight pictured here? Simply stunning. Take the full tour of this Vancouver home.
A Mix of Ingredients
You won’t believe this Vancouver Yaletown home was originally two apartments. We can hardly believe it ourselves. Now, not only is it an industrial loft dream, but it also boasts original beams, bricks and concrete walls. We’re green with envy. Check out the top kitchen trends for 2021.
Keep it Simple
Moving back to Toronto after living in Vancouver for a number of years gave this editor and writer the opportunity for a fresh start when it came to decorating her abode. This time around, she opted to keep her newly-purchased stacked condo townhouse on a strict budget. From the furniture to the decor, she breaks down costs and design choices she made along the way. Find out how she furnished and decorated this entire apartment for less than $2,500. And to see our all-time top home tours from 2019, check out these gorgeous homes.
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