LIFESTYLE

In many cases When it comes to decor pieces, “new developments” usher in an exciting era of possibilities, but in some cases, they can miss a step. There is probably no better example of this than the decline in the use of wood. There is a reason it has been used in homes for centuries – it’s sturdy, adaptable and capable of lasting for generations when properly cared for. A beautiful piece of timber is one stain job away from being a completely different piece, it can be refinished when it begins to show its age, or left to develop a natural patina over time. Unlike newer materials that can look dated as soon as a particular design trend passes, wood tends to remain relevant.

Some cities are boundless when it comes to entertainment and places to explore; they feel as though you could visit for weeks and only scratch the surface of what it has to offer. Obviously, it depends on what you’d like to experience, but no matter what you’re into, one of these cities is Tokyo.

Why do people stay in nice hotels when they travel? Because they expect a certain standard when they’re paying money for an experience. There was a time when staying at a remarkable hotel felt like an escape from everyday life – somewhere you visited for a few days before returning home to routines that looked and felt entirely different. So, why do people ‘expect less’ out of their home than they do out of a temporary stay? After all, the purchase of their home is one of the biggest of many people’s lives.

Luxury spaces are designed with precision and purpose, from the furniture and decor selections to the room sizes and the paint colour. Every room has a purpose, and the most successful interiors quietly reinforce that purpose through overlooked aspects like light, texture, proportion, and colour.

Luxury can take many forms. It can be found in exceptional architecture, world-class dining, or experiences designed to create lasting memories. While these moments can be revisited, there is another form of luxury that cannot be easily planned or replicated. It is something discovered rather than purchased: the feeling created by an extraordinary view. Whether overlooking a dramatic coastline, a mountain range, a city skyline, or a sky filled with stars, the right perspective has the ability to transform a moment into something unforgettable.

For most Canadians, there are few domestic destinations more synonymous with summer than Muskoka. From spending the day on the lake, to afternoons on the dock with a cold drink, and evenings around a crackling fire, watching the sun disappear behind the trees. For all those reasons and many more, it’s been the staple seasonal escape for generations, and its reputation as one of the country’s most desirable vacation destinations is well earned. However, there’s more to the story that rarely gets talked about; another side of Muskoka that’s reserved for only the most distinguished visitors.

A beautiful kitchen can capture attention immediately. A slab of heavily veined marble, custom cabinetry finished in warm oak, a sculptural range sitting beneath oversized pendant lighting. These details matter, but they are rarely what makes a kitchen memorable over time. The kitchens that age best tend to share something less obvious. They feel easy to live in.

Some views are impressive for a moment. Others stay with you long after you leave. A skyline at dusk. Water disappearing into the horizon. A golf course framed by morning fog. The way light settles across a valley just before sunset. Certain places change how a home feels simply by what exists beyond the glass. Across Canada and beyond, some of the world’s most remarkable properties are defined not only by architecture or scale, but by the landscapes surrounding them. In many cases, the view becomes the emotional centre of the home itself.

The most beautiful summer gardens rarely look overly planned. They feel settled. Calm. As though the space naturally came together over time, shaped as much by the surrounding landscape as the design itself. In reality, that effortless feeling usually begins much earlier in the season, often in late spring, when gardens quietly start preparing for the months ahead.