HOMES | YAM MAGAZINE

Fall Flourish

Follow these five décor trends to zhuzh up your home just in time for the cooler and cozier days ahead. Read more...

Fall Flourish

Follow these five décor trends to
zhuzh up your home just in time for
the cooler and cozier days ahead. Read more…

Home Tour: Fit for Five

How one family updated their 1911 heritage home to make room for three lively young boys — while keeping its grownup charms. Tour the home. Read more…

All Fired Up: How to build a luxurious outdoor kitchen perfect for entertaining all summer long — and beyond.

Cooking is just better outside — especially if you follow our handy guide to outdoor kitchens. Read more…

The Hope Next Door

A neighbourhood move helps one family construct an accessible future for their son. Read more…

Meet the team at Briggs & Stratton and Associates

With years of experience of life in Victoria BC, The Briggs & Stratton and Associates Real Estate team knows where to look for your dream home and how to effectively negotiate a price that will make you happy. Read more…

Seaside Retreat for the Ages

On the Saanich Peninsula, a family transforms their treasured coastal cottage into a welcoming new home, while preserving 80 years of memories. Read more…

Design on the Edge

Arthur Erickson designed the revolutionary Filberg House to save one man’s soul. Sixty-five years later, his masterpiece on the Comox Bluffs is worth saving, too. Read more…

Get Creative with Collections

There’s a fine line between collectibles and clutter, and often it’s marked by how you display your cherished possessions. Local experts share tips for showing off your collections. Read more…

A new book offers a guide to our best interior designers, architects and their projects

Author Julia Dilworth found inspiration in the IKEA catalogue and she used it to create her new book West Coast North, which rounds up 29 design firms and 88 projects from Victoria to Vancouver to Whistler in a volume that is as useful as it is beautiful.

Plus, three books will help you see things in a whole new way. Read more…

Biophilia for beginners: How to fill your home with plants you’ll love

The best way to freshen up your home for spring is with a new indoor plant, or 10. Here’s what you need to know. BY WENDY MCLELLAN | ILLUSTRATIONS BY JANICE HILDYBRANT From giant monsteras to tiny air plants, sinuously vining philodendrons to fragrant potted herbs, houseplants are proven mood lifters, de-stressors and all-natural air […] Read more…

Home Tour: Contrast and Complement

A juxtaposition of vintage and contemporary design transforms a tiny 1950s cottage into a home that blends comfort, style and function. Read more…

At Home with Art: YAM’s guide to buying and choosing artworks for your home

Looking for something original to hang over the fireplace? Here’s how to begin your collection — or build on what you already own. Read more…

Pretty Spring Pastels

Welcome the lighter, brighter days of spring with colours as soft and romantic as the flowering trees outside. No need to completely make over your home; just add a few select pieces in hues of rose, lilac and buttercup — starting with these. Read more…

The perfect vase for spring blossoms

Ceramic artist Erika Arbour-Nevins believes that you should play with asymmetry when arranging flowers, and that’s just what her custom-made Arc vase is designed to do. Read more…

New Space, New Start

Aryze’s Rhodo development gives one homeowner a clean slate and a chance at a minimalist West Coast lifestyle. Read more…

True to You Hues

The colour choices you make in your home can help boost or mellow your mood. Say goodbye to grey on grey — 2023 is all about escaping into bright, vivid, glorious hues. Read more…

Pantone’s “fearless” colour of the year sets an optimistic tone for 2023

Enter the Magentaverse – it’s “brave,” “fearless,” “empowering” and “writing a new narrative.” Read more…

Roll out the Holiday bar cart

Wondering how to stock your bar cart? We’ve got some ideas for making it both beautiful and functional. Read more…

Creating Comfort

A thoughtful renovation transforms a family home from hospitalized space to a welcoming place of connection. Take a tour of this beautiful home. Read more…

The Right Light

Modern light fixtures aren’t so much about brightening up a space — recessed, under-cabinet or task-oriented lights can take care of that — but about creating a mood and making a statement. Looking to light up your own space? Take your inspiration from these top trends. Read more…

Pattern Power: Wallpaper is back in style and it’s bigger, bolder and more beautiful than ever

New textures, better technology and eye-popping design make this the best time to give wallpaper a second chance. Local experts share tips to create the big “wow factor” in a space. Read more…

Serene Spaces by the Seaside

Falling in love with the perfect waterfront property inspired local developers Chris Walker and Joan Gandza to build a new dream home that features a wine cellar, Austrian-built windows and doors, hot tub, and plunge pool. Read more…

HOUSE TOUR: HAUTE HERITAGE

A Victoria heritage renovation honours original vision with contemporary fusion. Read more…

AGGV’s 2022 House Tour: Art Meets Architecture

The AGGV Gallery Associates celebrate their 70th anniversary fundraising for the Art Gallery with the return of the popular House Tour, a video series featuring five remarkable homes, available to view starting September 18. Read more…

Bring home the blooms

Jen Lasko, owner of Modpots share tips to spruce up your outdoor space with creative container gardening. Read more…

Dwelling in Colour

An elevated mid-century modern build brings new shades to the concept of home. Read more…

Keeping you safe: Commissionaires HomeWatch

We find out how the Victoria Commissionaires HomeWatch service ensures your home is protected, so you can relax and enjoy your time away. Read more…

Home Tour: Suburban Jewel

This modern, multi-generational family home brings big heart to its neighbourhood. Read more…

3 ways to perk up your patio

We explore ways to spiff up your space and perk up your patio with these locally available options. Read more…

Minuscule But Mighty Homes

More and more people are seeking tiny homes, for recreational, rental properties or starter houses. We explore this trend with Cobble Hill-based Rewild Homes. Read more…

Vintage Va-Voom

What’s old is new again in home furnishings. We talked to local interior designers and a vintage expert about mixing fabulous found pieces with contemporary styling. Read more…

Elegance on High

“We wanted to bring in an organic sensuality to the space: curves, textures and natural movement.”

An artful renovation transforms a stark Uplands home into an epicentre of creativity. Read more…

How to fill your rooms with signature fragrances that you and your family will love

Creating a fragrant oasis isn’t as simple as just spraying some Febreze around the place. We talked to some local perfumers to share their tips on filling your home with fragrance. Read more…

Top 10 Decor Trends for 2022

YAM recently spoke with several Victoria-based designers about the Top 10 Decor Trends for 2022. Read more…

At Home with the Women of The Agency

Get to know the talented women behind the brand at The Agency in Victoria, led by Nancy Briggs and Sophia Stratton. Read more…

A Character in the Making

A Rockland renovation returns a Tudor-style home to its former glory. Read more…

Comfortable Outdoor Living, All Year Round

Our homes serve dual purposes of engagement and retreat, and many homeowners are looking for ways to refresh their abodes in ways that allow them to make best use of their space – most especially when it comes to finding ways to enjoy the great outdoors in their own back yards. Read more…

A Home for the Holidays

Gleaming white and gold details transform a heritage house for the festive season. Read more…

The Science behind Choosing the Colour of the Year

Ever wonder how design, fashion or paint colours of the year are chosen? Montaha Hidefi, an expert in forecasting colour trends, gives YAM the inside scoop. Read more…

Capital Style: a downtown Victoria penthouse

Part art gallery, part big-city loft, this downtown penthouse offers a unique take on the West Coast urban lifestyle. Read more…

Interior Design Looks That Define Our Times

Here are three interior design trends that offer a little something for everyone: the bold more-is-more of maximalism, the natural minimalism of Scandi rustic, and the quaint appeal of cottagecore. Read more…

Plant lover tips to extend the summer show

Jennifer Lasko of Modpots with tips on creating beautiful, year-round potted plant displays in your garden or home. Read more…

Summer Décor for Every Room

Bring the sunshine indoors with a beach-house-inspired colour palette, natural textiles, gauzy fabrics and accents that reflect your personal style. Read more…

Ultimate Outdoor Living

Outdoor spaces have become increasingly important as places for retreat and renewal. Read more…

A View to Call Home

These Victoria homeowners turned the constraints of cliff-side living into creative opportunities Read more…

Sooke Fine Arts—Home is Where the Art is!

The 2021 Sooke Fine Arts Show features a virtual walk-through gallery, specially curated to maximize the viewing experience. Read more…

Stewarding the Past

An award-winning Vancouver architect picks a historic house originally built for Emily Carr’s sister to be his family home in Victoria. Read more…

Home Edit

Check out some stylish solutions for your home! Read more…

Design on Demand

Introducing Flathaus, a Victoria-based company that provides online solutions bridging the gap between interior designers and the DIY homeowner Read more…

Enrich Your Home with Art

From paintings and sculpture to glass and metal work, there are beautiful ways to personalize your space with works by local artists Read more…

Buying and Selling Homes In Victoria’s Red-Hot Market

Community involvement, attention to detail in the process of buying and selling homes and a passion for life on Vancouver Island is all in a day’s work at Briggs & Stratton and Associates. Sophia Briggs partnered with Nancy Stratton to form Briggs & Stratton and Associates, a few years ago, quickly bringing on Rebecca Barritt–another strong player […] Read more…

Beautiful and Functional Interior Design Tips

Interior Design isn’t only about the esthetics; it should improve the quality of our lives. YAM talks to local interior designers about the special touches they add to make their own homes stylish, comfortable and highly functional. Read more…

Home Tour: Modern European Gem In The City

This bold transformation infuses a modern European vibe into a Victoria heritage home. Take a tour through this inspiring space. Read more…

Sustainable Holiday Decor Inspiration

In a season that traditionally involves excess, it’s time to embrace more environmentally friendly alternatives. One place to start? Getting inspired with sustainable holiday decor. Read more…

Home Tour: Elegant Heritage Home Made for Family

A full renovation turned this 1913 heritage home into a masterpiece fit for a family. Take a tour through this charmed, elegant home. Read more…

Incredible Home Delivers the ‘Incredible Home’ Promise

Incredible Home, previously known as Incredible Closets, was founded over thirty-eight years ago with the concept of improving lives through organization. Read more…

Style and Function with Local Company Caramba Furniture

Lifestyle plays a major role in the ethos of local furniture company Caramba. Read more…

B.C. Designers are Finding a Global Audience

Pacific coastal style is moving away from its rustic modern traditions as B.C. designers embrace a sleek and minimalist esthetic — and they’re finding a global audience for their creations. Read more…

A Home That Exudes Balance and Feng Shui

Using the principles of feng shui, this family creates a home that exists in perfect balance with its environment. Read more…

Victoria Home Inspiration: Sea and the City

Looking for some Victoria home inspiration? This beautiful home looks off a steep embankment in Cadboro Bay and is a true oceanside retreat from urban life. Designed by Chris Foyd and built by Southall Construction. Read more…

She’s Got Balls Creates Unique Home Decor Pieces

These creative home decor pieces are made by creating customizable coverings for exercise balls. The designs work beautifully for decorating a home and providing creative seating options. Read more…

Designer’s Picks for Spring Home Decor

YAM sat down with local interior designers to get an inside scoop on which products they are excited about using in 2020. Read more…

Smoking Lily Founder Shares her Fernwood Kitchen

Smoking Lily founder Trish Tacoma shares her favourite space to think, create and live: her stunning kitchen in her Fernwood home. Read more…

Victoria Wood Studio Designer Combines Art with Nature

There’s something about creating for the outdoors that especially appeals to Dutch-born designer Dieuwertje von Aesch of Victoria Wood Studio. Read more…

5 Home Decluttering Hangups to Avoid

We asked professional organizer Maggie Megenbir of Calm, Cool & Uncluttered to share decluttering tips to create an organized home. Read more…

How to Use Classic Blue in Your Home

Classic Blue was named Pantone’s Colour of the Year in 2020 and YAM has curated a selection of products that add this pop of blue to your home decor. Read more…

Simple Ways to Refresh Your Home for Spring

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your home. YAM brings you fresh ideas to make spring cleaning (without harming the environment) a breeze. Read more…

Design District Access is Victoria’s Home Design Hub

By gathering the best interior design resources from around the world, Design District Access is Victoria’s hub for home inspiration. Read more…

Mid-Century Minimalist Condo on the Waterfront in Victoria, B.C.

Mid-century minimalism, a soothing coastal palette and natural materials — A waterfront condo renovation creates space for a simply stylish new beginning. Read more…

Home & Design Trends of 2020

From communal living to speckled surfaces, here are the top home, living & design trends you will see in the coming year. Read more…

Home Tour: Urban Condo on the Ocean

A former hotel condo is transformed into a modern waterfront dream home. Read more…

Heritage-Home Renovation Inspiration

This spectacular renovation of a 1903 heritage home breathes new life into a Rockland masterpiece. Read more…

5 Holiday Décor Trends

These of-the-moment
holiday décor ideas offer something for every style and will have you singing “Deck the Halls.” Read more…

5 Simple Ways to Add Colour to Your Home Decor

From a fresh coat of paint to a couple throw pillows made with unique textiles, add a splash of autumn tones into your home. Read more…

The 70s Style Comeback in Home Decor

Bring some vibrance, and neon, into your home decor with these looks inspired by 70s fashion. Read more…

A Home Designed with Nature in Mind

In an oceanside neighbourhood, the Mills family embraced the idea of urban gardening so fully they designed their spectacular Scandi-inspired home around the concept of “food forests” that feed their family, engage their children and attract the bees. Read more…

The AGGV Presents Their 66th House Tour

Mark your calendar for the 66th AGGV House Tour on Sunday, September 22. The tour features collections by artists Pat Martin Bates, Luke Marston, Nita Forest, Karl Spreitz and Louise Bourgeois. Read more…

Fairfield Character Home featured in the AGGV House Tour

YAM gets a sneak preview into an art-filled 1916 Fairfield character home featured on the upcoming AGGV Home Tour, and discovers a family whose life is as artful as their impressive collection of antiques, heirlooms and works by some of Canada’s most revered artists. Read more…

Fresh Summer Products for your Home

Natural is the new sexy, and these exquisite earthy products are sure to create a calming summer mood for any room in your home. Read more…

Hamptons-Style Home Tour

A Cobble Hill reno transforms a dated bed and breakfast into a New York-style estate. Take a tour through this magnificent home. Read more…

Home Tour: Contemporary Contrast

Take a tour through this Fairfield home full of contrast and minimalist style. Read more…

A Concrete Chair that Pushes the Boundaries of Design

This chair design uses a harmonious selection of elements for a modern look. Read more…

Design Ideas: Pigeonhole Home Store

Pigeonhole Home Store is known to be a treasure trove – and for the beautiful shelving in the front room. Read more…

Design Ideas: E:Ne Raw Food and Sake Bar

E:Né Raw Food and Sake Bar brings a dark and sultry vibe to dining in the city with cedar panelling and creative wall decor. Read more…

Design Ideas: Superbaba

Superbaba melds old-school diner vibe with Middle Eastern esthetic using curved elements and pops of colour. Read more…

The Calming Design of Curves in Home Interiors

Home decor for 2019 is all about organic curves so here is a selection of home decor that will help soften the edges in your home. Read more…

Creative Space: Stylish Urban Loft

The condo in Victoria West has an irresistible view and an even better stove. Read more…

Book Nook: Be Bold

Emily Henson’s new book celebrates colour, style and the ability to be bold in design. Read more…

Home Tour: The Chic Cottage Conversion

the View Royal home has an elegant mix of Scandinavian and minimalistic design with just a hint of country. Read more…

Design Ideas: Travelbea & Associates

Inhabit Designs filled Travelbea and Associates with bold wallpaper and a modern colour palette. Read more…

Design Ideas: The Courtney Room

The Courtney Room is an elegant space where the old world meets the new. Read more…

Get Organized from Entryway to Bedroom

Tips and tricks to update and clean up your home. Read more…

Design Ideas: Sherwood Cafe and Bar

Sherwood Cafe and Bar experiments with lots of plants and greenery to soften the light in the space. Read more…

Design Ideas: Studio Kanti

Studio Kanti has an inviting ambience that creates private cozy areas in a boxy space. Read more…

Island Inspiration: 5 Ways to Decorate Your Space with Nature in Mind

Let that inspiration come from the surrounding environment by bringing a bit of the outdoors in. Read more…

Home Tour: The Retro Remix Fairfield Home

Mid-century style meets contemporary artistry in this Fairfield home. Read more…

Unique Statement Piece from West Coast Designer

A unique statement piece that plays with our perspective. Read more…

Simple and Classic Ceramic Pieces

“For me, making with clay is about time and memory and space…” Read more…

4 Gift Ideas for the Design-Savvy

High-style, high-fun gift ideas guaranteed to make even the most choosy people on your shopping list happy. Read more…

5 Plants to Make Your Home Happy

Top 5 houseplants, according to a NASA study on healthy, oxygenated air. Read more…

Home Tour: Anne and Chris Tetley’s West Saanich Family Manor

Take a tour of a family manor that exudes coziness and connection with nature. Read more…

Home Tour: Transforming a Dark Manor Into a Bright, Luxurious Beach House

A bold reno transforms a dark Vancouver Island manor into a light-filled beach house. Read more…

3 Tips For Perfectly Lighting Your Kitchen

The perfect kitchen has a great atmosphere — and the biggest atmosphere creator is lighting. Read more…

How to Incorporate Mise-en-place Practices Into Your Home and Life

YAM explores how the mindful culinary practice of mise-en-place can bring order to life outside of the kitchen. Read more…

An Engaged Resident’s Thoughts on Life In Cook Street Village

David Lennam, one of Cook Street Village’s engaged residents, gives us a view to village life. Read more…

How to Design Your Outdoor Space So It’s Ready For Patio Party Season

Outdoor entertaining is all about low maintenance for 2018, with pieces that look good and feel good. Read more…

Inside Charlotte and Stephen Hale’s Eclectic, Contemporary Rock Bay Home

Inside a former industrial warehouse on the edge of Rock Bay is one of the city’s most remarkable inner sanctums of eclecticism Read more…

How To Design an Attention-Grabbing Home

Avoid common home decor problems and update your interior so that it really shines. Read more…

10 Wild and Inspiring Wallpaper Designs

When it comes to giving your home interior a powerful style surge for 2018, think wild wallpaper. Read more…

Inside an Artistic, Oceanfront Ten Mile Point Home

Craftsman architecture merges with West Coast artistry in a custom oceanfront home whose beauty is the result of a balance of opposites. Read more…

Tiny Home Envy In Nanaimo

Who says you have to sacrifice style to embrace a tiny home lifestyle? Read more…

3 Local Textile Artists You Should Know About

Victoria is blessed with numerous textile artists creating beautiful — and functional — wares. Read more…

Choosing the Perfect Dining Room Table

The dining table is said to be the soul of the home — the one piece of furniture that encourages connection and enhances culture. Read more…

3 Victoria Creatives Embrace the Loft Living Lifestyle

For these individuals, finding home meant discovering a unique space, adding lots of character and building a sense of community. Read more…

House Tour: Inside Designer Tamara Bush’s Dream Home

Interior designer Tamara Bush’s home is incredibly personal: it’s part showpiece, part princess castle and part act of rebellion. Read more…

10 Stylish Products to Help You Live Large In a Small Space

At last, functionality is fun and stylish. Read more…

10 Ways to Add Geometrics Into Your Life

Evoke drama with the bold lines of geometric patterns. Read more…

3 Interior Design Trends For 2018

This year, watch for a major shift away from too much softness. Instead, think strong, as in strong colour, strong statements and strong textures. Read more…

Our 6 Favourite Rooms of 2017

With so many beautiful, Vancouver Island homes featured in our magazines this year, it was a challenge to pick just a few. There were bold bathrooms, bright kitchens and cozy living areas, but these are our six favourite rooms from our 2017 issues. Read more…

Home Tour: Murray and Valerie Nunns’ Luxurious Tudor-Style Home

A Saanich historical home revives its owners’ dreams with a modern take on historic luxury. Read more…

12 Glittery and Glamorous Chandeliers We Love

From traditional crystal chandeliers to art-deco inspired pendants, the right overhead statement lighting brings personal drama to your home. Read more…

3 Ways to Cozy Up Your Home For the Holidays

Here are some ideas for infusing your home with unhurried glamour this season. Read more…

How To Achieve a West Coast-Meets-France Esthetic In Your Home

The French are known for their under-styled elegance, which plays surprisingly well here on the West Coast. Read more…

HOW TO UPDATE YOUR HOME WITH COLOUR BLOCKING

Adding blocks of colour to your home isn’t just for the fashion world. Read more…

HOME TOUR: MERLE ALEXANDER’S GRAND, DESIGN-FOCUSED RENO

A savvy design and construction team transforms a home suffering from decades of mismatched renos into a modern masterpiece of exceptional grandeur. Read more…

Carla and Michael Perry’s Home Is Basically a Live-In Art Gallery

Leading up to the AGGV’s annual House Tour on September 24, YAM visits one of Victoria’s most artful homes, renovated specifically to showcase the owners’ impressive collection, which includes iconic pieces by David Blackwood and Douglas Coupland. Read more…

3 HOME AND DESIGN PRODUCTS WE LOVE THIS FALL

This fall, we’ve got our eyes on Kez Sherwood’s ceramics, functional credenzas and pastel stools. Read more…

LIVABLE STYLE: PERSONALITY NOT PERFECTION

Creating a stylish living space isn’t about recreating the flawless neutrality of a model show home. Today’s home style is more about originality than artifice — and favours personality over perfection. Read more…

HOUSE TOUR: COASTAL MODERN

An award-winning Cadboro Bay home takes its cues from its locale on the ocean’s edge — it blends into its environment with a modern esthetic, using glass, concrete, stone and wood. Read more…

HOUSE TOUR: AT HOME WITH HISTORY

Located in one of Victoria’s most coveted neighbourhoods, this fully restored heritage home — complete with vintage-inspired touches and modern amenities — comes with its own backstory. Read more…

HOW TO ADD COLOUR TO YOUR HOME

A refresh of this Victoria home by designers Kyla Bidgood and Kristine Hageland of Bidgood and Co. introduces playful elements of colour and pattern — making for a vibrant and functional living space. Read more…

BRING MORE ART INTO YOUR LIFE

The right pieces not only add design and colour to your rooms, they can also bring emotion and depth. YAM talks to the experts about how to buy art for your home. Read more…

HOME TOUR: MODERN GEOMETRY

The Victoria home uses a dynamic mix of geometric lines and natural elements to create a unique West Coast space and a modern Zen experience. Read more…

HOME & DESIGN: THE ARCHITECT AT HOME

Stretching tall instead of wide, this spectacular Nanaimo home — designed by an architect for his own family —turns minimal space into a high-reaching, light-filled oasis of inspiration. Read more…

HOME & DESIGN: COLLECTOR’S EDITION

In their entrancing postwar house, a shop owner and a chef combine classic elements and favourite pieces to sublime effect — creating a life surrounded by the things they love. Read more…

WINTER WELCOME: DIY WREATHS

From elegant rings of lush juniper to loopy twists of vine and draping cedar, it’s all about personal expression when crafting your own winter wreath. Read more…

CREATING COZY: EMBRACE THE DANISH ART OF HYGGE

Incorporate this Danish mainstay into your life and learn how the practice of coziness can create a sanctuary for your soul. Read more…

HOME TOUR: GULF ISLAND CLIFFHANGER

This Quadra Island home is drawing worldwide attention and the kind of architectural acclaim usually reserved for art galleries, libraries and other buildings of public significance. But first, it’s a home. Read more…

HOME TOUR: DESIGNED TO LAST

Constructed of steel and tempered skyscraper windows, this unique eco-friendly home is designed to last for at least a millennium. Some might call it a prototype for the ideal home for the 21st century and beyond. Read more…

HOME TOUR: AN INVITING RETREAT BY THE SEA

A Gulf Island escape doesn’t get any dreamier than this Pender Island home, designed for inviting family gatherings. Inspired by nature and filled with art and mementos, this home exemplifies summer living at its best. Read more…

PANTONE’S COLOURS OF THE YEAR: PERFECT FOR SUMMER

Looking for fresh new colours to update your décor? From expressing your mood to creating a calming atmosphere, use Pantone’s Colour of the Year to bring a feeling of relaxation into your home. Read more…

HOME TOUR: INTO THE WOODS

With great respect for the forest, this couple built their home on Denman Island, creating an eminently livable work of art. Designer Etienne de Villiers calls it a modern home that will stand the test of time to become an enduring classic. Read more…

HOUSE TOUR: SMALL SPACE, AMPLIFIED STYLE

Beyond its undeniable stylishness, one of the most striking aspects of Jody and David Adelman’s new townhouse is how they’ve optimized the space. Smart modern design, perfect furniture picks and sleek custom built-ins mean this couple can live large in their small-scale home. Read more…

DESIGN TRENDS: WILD ABOUT WALLS

When it comes to wall trends, 2016 is a myth-busting year. Feature walls are out and so is the notion that small rooms need small patterns. So toss out your preconceptions and let’s look at what’s big in walls. Read more…

AN ECO RENO WITH A TRADITIONAL TOUCH

Eco design meets antique décor when a spectacular renovation by Victoria designer JC Scott transforms a cramped 1970s cottage into the elegant epitome of sustainable living. Read more…

HOUSE TOUR: A DRAMATIC MOUNTAINTOP HOME

A dramatic mountaintop home draws its design inspiration from the elements of nature — earth, air, fire and water. Read more…

A DARING CONDO RENO

When faced with the dilemma of buying a new condo versus renovating an older one, a Victoria couple proved that out-of-date can become spectacular in the hands of an innovative designer. Read more…

HOUSE TOUR: SALT SPRING MODERN

To make the most of its stunning setting on Salt Spring Island, this home uses a series of airy, light-filled pavilions. The modern décor, wood-crafted furniture and nature-inspired art set the stage for elegant coastal living. Read more…

2016 DECOR COLOUR TRENDS

There’s a whirlwind of white coming to home interiors this year, influenced by everything from Parisian architecture to snow. YAM’s design expert presents some beautiful palettes with white as the unifying factor. Read more…

DESIGNER IDEAS FOR THE HOLIDAY TABLE

Get inspired to bring that magical touch to your holiday entertaining with these festive tabletops from three of Victoria’s top designers. From formal place-settings to graphic elements to a whimsical decor, you’ll find something to elevate your winter table. Read more…

BEAUTY & STONE: MODERN ARTISTRY FROM AN ANCIENT SOURCE

YAM visits Andreas Kunert and Naomi Zettl of Ancient Art of Stone, internationally acclaimed artists who take their inspiration directly from nature to create extraordinary works from an ancient, timeless material. Read more…

HOME TOUR: AN ARTS AND CRAFTS HOUSE REIMAGINED

Local designer Tara Hurst and her husband Michael Zary restore a 1914 character home in Oak Bay, creating an elegant tribute to the style of the era and striking a beautiful balance between old and new. Read more…

DECORATING IDEAS FOR SMALL SPACES

Thinking about downsizing? The trend toward living spaces with a smaller footprint doesn’t mean there’s any less room for creativity. Here are the latest decorating ideas and tips to get the most out of any small space. Read more…

INSIDE A MID-CENTURY MODERN RENO

For a behind-the-scenes look at local style setters, YAM visits our fashion editor Janine Metcalfe and her ultra-creative husband L.J. Smith, who happen to live in one of Victoria’s most architecturally unique homes. Read more…

TOUR THIS PACIFIC PARADISE HOME

Exuding warmth and style, this spectacular Island home was designed to be perfectly in sync with its seaside setting and Douglas fir backdrop. Set in a forested acreage on a bluff above the Pacific, it’s all about light and air. Read more…

Local Designer Brings French Touch To Fabric Line

For the latest release of his eponymous fabric line, Victoria-based designer Iván Meade continues his personal narrative with a distinct French flair. The designer traveled to Paris to photograph his fabrics in “the beautiful French light.” Read more…

Brighten Your Home With a Sunroom

Sunrooms are a sophisticated way to welcome the light into your home year round and can even boost your home’s value. Here’s how to properly create a stunning, four-seasons room, from design to finish. Read more…

HOUSE TOUR: AT HOME IN NATURE

Constructed on a parcel of land that seems carved from the wilderness off Land’s End Road, the house named “Modern Tranquility” brokers an elegant harmony with its magnificent surroundings. Read more…

HOUSE TOUR: ELEVATED DESIGN

One of Rockland’s most stunning contemporary house, this dwelling contains striking architectural details — creating a home full of light and airiness that evokes a luxurious sense of serenity. Read more…

ELEVATE YOUR GARDEN WITH ARTSCAPING

Designing a successful artscape is a complex and mysterious process, but the results can be worth all of the thought and effort involved. Let art and architecture be the stepping stones to breathtaking landscape design. Read more…

UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN WITH A CABINET REDO

In many homes, the kitchen marks the place of creation. It’s a sanctuary for self-care: a refuge to focus on food, nourishment, togetherness. Nestled into the heart of that haven are the walls that hold a treasure of tools: the kitchen cabinetry. Read more…

HOUSE TOUR: LIVING WITH COLOUR

From the hand-painted tiles and azure-blue appliances to its citrus-toned walls, dramatic cathedral-style ceiling and rustic wood accents, this Canadian hacienda is a true fiesta of colour, texture and light. Read more…

HOUSE TOUR: LIVABLE LUXE

This modern masterpiece proves contemporary doesn’t equal cold. Its intimate spaces, warm woods and unexpected touches give the comforting feel of a family home infused with West Coast chic. Read more…

TIPS FOR BUILDING YOUR DREAM DECK

With summer on the way, start now to create a deck that merges beauty, comfort and quality — and invites you to enjoy it under sun or stars. Read more…

TRUE COLOURS FOR A FRESH NEW LOOK

Giving your nest a fresh shade will brighten your outlook on the old homestead, and it’s the simplest way to “renovate” your property. Painting the exterior of your home is one of the best ways to protect your investment. Read more…

CONCRETE HOMES, ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIFESTYLES

This innovative concrete home in North Saanich epitomizes stylish sustainability by bringing New Zealand building concepts to Canada’s West Coast. Read more…

INSIDE AN ARCHITECTURAL DREAM HOUSE

Influenced by the shapes of waves and the play of light, this luxurious seaside beauty embraces an organic asymmetry and a nature-imbued palette that inspires relaxed living. Read more…

‘O’ IS FOR ORGANIZATION: TIPS & TRICKS FOR DECLUTTERING

Getting organized isn’t a one-time deal. By creating a permanent place for things and following a system, you can get your home in order. And you might just find that other parts of your life start to follow. Read more…

BRING YOUR LIVING ROOM TO LIFE

The way you arrange your living room furniture sets the tone for how you interact with this important room. YAM explores how to set up traffic patterns, how to scale pieces for maximum effect, how to bring “form” to your space — and what to do about that TV. Read more…

House Tour: Living With Art

These home owners wanted to open their space up, to better exhibit their art — and the gorgeous view of Gonzales Beach. The renovation project resulted in a contemporary space that feels refined and refreshingly down to earth. Read more…

Annie Sloan’s New Book Explores Décor Styles

Looking for decorating inspiration? Annie Sloan’s Room Recipes For Style And Colour examines nine popular décor styles, including: Bohemian, Neoclassical, Vintage Floral, French Elegance, Traditional Swedish, Coastal, Rustic Country, Modern Retro and Warehouse. Read more…

BATHROOM BLISS

While your bathroom may be one of the smallest rooms in your home, there’s no denying it’s also one of the most important. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to fill this space with stylish elements that are as functional as they are stunning. Read more…

ART DECO REDUX

A labour of love restores a rare Modernistic house from the 1940s into a celebration of the eclectic and exuberant style of the Art Deco movement. Read more…

RENOVATING TO SELL

If you had seen Jason Binab’s Oak Bay house when he first purchased it in 2010, you wouldn’t think it was the same structure he decided to sell this spring — and you’d be right. Read more…

CREATING THE ULTIMATE GUEST ROOM

When it comes to creating a welcoming guest room retreat, the details make all the difference in making your visitors feel comfortable. From guestroom must-haves, to design tips, to adding local touches, our experts share their inviting ideas. Read more…

DIVINE RENOVATION

How a much-loved old church in Victoria underwent a reverential transformation to become one of the region’s most stylish homes — a truly divine renovation. Read more…

HOME AS A MODERN SANCTUARY

Sustainable materials, soaring ceilings, an open concept plan and abundant windows with views of the forest are artfully combined to create a Victoria home that feels like a modern sanctuary. Read more…

Fabric Finds: Local Designer’s Inspired New Line

Drawing from memories and inspired by his favourite artists, designer Iván Meade has created a luxurious new line of fabrics. While each pattern expresses his personal aesthetic of “timeless European methodology with a sophisticated, modern edge,” at the end of the day, Meade simply wants them “to tell a story.” Read more…

TOUR AN ELEGANT TRADITIONAL HOME

With its sophisticated and traditional ambience, this spectacular home radiates a welcoming appeal, perfect for entertaining family and friends. Using timeless elements, luxurious finishes and dramatic statement lighting, the designers describe the look as “traditional elegance with a slight hint of Tuscany.” Read more…

THE MOST POPULAR APPLIANCE TRENDS

Looking to add some flair to your kitchen? You can’t go wrong with artful appliances. Designers are combining smooth functionality with sculptural elements and big bursts of colour to bring personality to the most popular room in the home. Bring on the style! Read more…

CHOOSING THE BEST COUNTERS FOR YOUR KITCHEN

From the classic look of creamy marble to the sleek desirability of stainless steel, countertops are style statements, but they also need to suit your lifestyle. YAM talks to the experts about how to make the most stylish, functional choice for your kitchen. Read more…

A LOOK INSIDE AN URBAN RETREAT

This bright contemporary retreat in Fairfield stands as a sophisticated testament to the merits of collaborative design. From owner Margaret Halabura to architect Peter de Hoog to contractor Stewart Story, and interior designer Sandy Nygaard, the execution was so seamless the house appears to be the creation of a single visionary. Read more…

A LUXURY ECO-CONDO HOUSE TOUR

When planning this space for a father and his teenage daughter, designer JC Scott looked locally, creating a healthy home filled with unique and luxurious furnishings that exemplify West Coast Urban Contemporary style. In showcasing the best of local, sustainable design, Scott created a true natural wonder. Read more…

A CONTEMPORARY HOME GETS A COLOUR INFUSION

Designer Kyla Bidgood turned to bold graphic details, the exuberant use of colour and a mix of modern and mid-century furnishings to transform this contemporary home into a tailored interior that is casual, friendly and energetic — the perfect reflection of the homeowners’ unique style. Read more…

TOUR A MODERN BEACHSIDE HOME

This coastal beauty — perched above a beach with sweeping, unobstructed views of the ocean, islands and mountains beyond — is influenced by the tones and textures of its natural setting, creating an elegant beach getaway to share with family and friends. Read more…