When you think of French-inspired design, Ontario isn’t exactly the first place the comes to mind. That is, until the mother-son duo of The HighAcre came onto the scene. Opening its gorgeous French doors in early 2023, this boutique hotel has taken social media by storm with its stunning decor and lavish amenities. Inspired by the timeless beauty of Parisian homes, The HighAcre offers a one-of-a-kind wellness retreat for locals and travellers alike.

During my stay, I met with the owner, Brett, who walked me through the rustic interiors and shared the history of this ‘home away from home.’ For many guests who stay at The HighAcre, ‘home’ is how they would describe this luxurious haven. It has all the attributes of a cozy abode — and then some. What makes this place truly special, however, is the love, passion and vigor infused into every inch of this hidden gem. If we’ve peaked your curiosity thus far, stay a while and let us take you on an invigorating getaway you’ll never forget.

Related: Shoppe Clover: Meet the Creatives Behind This Gorgeous Vintage Furniture Shop

What Makes The HighAcre Unique?

When you visit a hotel, generally they are always the same — cookie cutter layouts consisting of a bed, bathroom and a desk. The HighAcre takes this basic concept and elevates it to new heights. Each room is outfitted with the most stunning and eclectic decor pieces that match the overall vibe of the estate. Brett describes staying at The HighAcre as “transformative” — an experience unlike anything in Canada. A tall order, and one that it definitely delivers on.

Apart from the stunning interiors, the hallmark of this estate has to be the private ensuite spa. Not only does each spa have it’s own uniquely designed bathing area, it also has a dedicated hammam steam shower and infrared sauna. As it stands, this is the only hotel in Canada that offers this type of luxury experience. Brett came up with the idea from his days working as a ballet dancer for the National Ballet of Canada. “Health and wellness are so important for me, and as a dancer you have to be in peak physical, mental and emotional form at all times,” says Brett. “I want our guests to feel relaxed and reenergized during their stay — I felt this was the perfect way to accomplish that.”

Related: 10 Best Bathroom Renovation Trends in 2023

Your Stay at The HighAcre

I don’t typically suggest staying in your hotel the entire time you’re travelling, but in this case, I’ll make an exception. From the ensuite spa to the Riviera-style pool, yoga studio and lush gardens — is there any reason to leave? During my stay, I spent the most time in the spa soaking up some much needed R&R. The day felt slow, but I wasn’t in a rush for it to be over. The night was perfect, with the crackling sounds of the fireplace and plush bed linens. My morning was no different — birds chirping by the gardens as I baked up fresh croissants and coffee.

In the never ending hustle culture we experience here in Canada, it’s worth investing in yourself — your peace and serenity. From the moment you step into The HighAcre until the time you check out, every second is pure bliss.

The question remains: would I return to this extravagant estate? Yes, yes I would. If that’s not convincing enough for you, book your stay and find out what it feels like to dive deep into indulgence.

Related: Prioritizing Self-Care and Sustainability With Mala the Brand Founder, Melody Lim

In the eyes of Home Network designer Debra Salmoni, age is just a number when it comes to your home. Since the start of her career, Debra’s goal has been to find new ways to breathe life back into homes in need of a refresh. While her passions are rooted in design, she prides herself in putting environmental sustainability at the forefront of everything she does. Whether its hitting up vintage markets in Paris, sourcing unconventional materials or staying on top of the latest trends, Debra is one to turn to for inspo when considering a total home redesign.

Curating a story in your home

Debra is big on thrifting and vintage markets. Part of the beauty in sourcing preloved pieces is the story that comes along with it. “A vase, rug or even a painting can be a great source of conversation and can add a ton of character to your home,” Debra mentions. “I really love vintage shopping in places like Paris for interesting art pieces – things that can move around your home easily,” – Debra calls these items “tchotchkes.” The idea is to curate ornate pieces instead of fully committing to things like a sofa or dining table.

Debra believes that vintage shopping is also a great way to be environmental conscious. “Not everything has to be brand new,” Debra mentions. “If your couch is in need of a refresh, it’s better to get it reupholstered than end up in a dumpster.” Even if you’re looking to buy new furniture for your home, Debra recommends checking vintage markets and Facebook Marketplace first. A few of her favourite international cities with vintage markets include some in Paris, France and South Africa. While a few close to home include Prince Edward County, Midland and Muskoka. “The opportunity to find unique and timeless pieces is limitless.”

Investing in the environment

Turning your home into a sustainable powerhouse is no easy task, but well worth the reward. A long-term investment in environmental technology can curb costs on anything from hydro to heating – you just need to take that first step. From Debra’s perspective, a fully sustainable home has features like solar panels, energy efficient appliances and composting, amongst many other upgrades.

Sourcing and upcycling materials can be challenging, and you can expect some initial steep investments in the beginning. “Even when investing in sustainable upgrades for your home, it’s important to not be wasteful in the process,” says Debra. “I work very closely with homeowners to make sure we select the best and most affordable options that also don’t have a negative impact on the environment.”

Lasting thoughts

Being sustainable is a lifelong commitment, but well worth the journey. Debra describes the experience working with homeowners in one word: Enriching. Debra understands the reluctance and hesitation when investing in sustainable technology or taking the time to thrift. “The initial investment eventually works itself out to saving you money in the long run,” says Debra. “Sometimes items aren’t budget-friendly, and so it becomes a conversation of what to prioritize.” Debra mentions an analogy of whether you would want to consume fresh, organic chicken or processed, fast food chicken. One is a little more expensive but healthier for you versus one being affordable but bad for your health.

“It’s not a race to upgrade your home, it’s ok to take your time and update as you go.” Debra isn’t lying when she says, “once you have the right bones, becoming more sustainable just gets easier and easier.” In 2023, there’s no question that the environment and being budget conscious are at the top of people’s minds. They are not mutually exclusive, and can work in tandem – it just takes a bit of time, and perhaps a green thumb.

Painting your home is an excellent option to make your space feel more personalized without breaking the bank. Although it sounds simple, choosing paint colours can be a daunting task. After all, there are millions of colours, shades, and finishes! 

Whether you’re getting ready to sell your home or want a versatile colour that looks good anywhere, look at the most popular paint colour samples Canadians purchased. Hello Paint, a Canadian business that sells large format peel-and-stick paint samples, shared their top-selling paint sample colours that homeowners and design experts love. 

Canada’s Most Popular Paint Colours in 2023

The most popular paint colours in Canada in 2023 so far include: 

1. White Dove by Benjamin Moore 
2. Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore 
3. Simply White by Benjamin Moore 
4. Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore 
5. Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore  
6. Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore  
7. Cloud White by Benjamin Moore  
8. Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore  
9. Balboa Mist by Benjamin Moore  
10. Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams 

Canada’s Most Popular Paint Colours in 2022

Looking back at last year, the most popular paint colours in 2022 were: 

1. White Dove by Benjamin Moore 
2. Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore 
3. Simply White by Benjamin Moore 
4. Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore  
5. Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore  
6. Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore 
7. Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore  
8. Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore  
9. Oxford White by Benjamin Moore 
10. Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams 

According to Hello Paint’s top-sellers, the three most popular paint colours in Canada are all different shades of white by Benjamin Moore. 

As the Benjamin Moore website explains, Chantilly Lace is described as a “classic go-to white that elicits images of fresh cotton and pure silk,” White Dove is more of a “clean and classic white.” Meanwhile, Simply White is another crisp white colour with “the slightest hint of warmth.”

Warmer Neutrals

Although these three white colours are still best-sellers, there have been some new changes in the popularity of other neutral paint colour samples. 

“We’re definitely seeing trends moving towards more warm beige colours overall and far fewer shades of grays,” says Tara Boudreau, the CEO and founder of Hello Paint.

Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent also feel the same about warm beige paint colours in 2023. 

More About Hello Paint 

Hello Paint, a family-owned business located outside Regina, Saskatchewan, was created when Tara realized how limiting conventional-sized paint chip samples were. “We also own a millwork and cabinetry company and felt the need for larger paint samples within our own business. So we created Hello Paint to fix the issue with colour samples being too small for selecting cabinetry colours,” Tara explains. 

The peel-and-stick paint sample company currently has around 3000 distinct colours in its inventory from brands like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams and a few exclusive collections from BeautiTone. 

Since Hello Paint’s peel-and-stick sample tiles are 12 inches by 10.25 inches, it gives you a clear idea of how the paint colour would look in each area of your home. Each reusable peel-and-stick tile includes the name of the paint colour and its company, making it easy to stay organized while searching for that perfect shade.  

Are you still looking for more paint colour inspiration? Check out our 2023 paint colour trend report to discover new ways to transform your home this year. 

Feature image courtesy of Getty Images. Additional images courtesy of Benjamin Moore and Hello Paint. 

Pamela Anderson has been yearning for the opportunity to turn a house into a home. After weeks of renovations and toiling back and forth on decor, she has created everything she’s ever wanted in her Ladysmith home. Reminiscent of her younger years, Pamela has captured the essence of her identity in each and every room.

The fruits of her labour can be seen through the intentional decisions on everything from tiles to tapestries. Pamela’s taste level centres around things that make her happy and free. In this past season of Pamela’s Garden of Eden, Pamela shared with us all the incredible resources she used so you too can craft a paradise at home.

Related: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Pamela Anderson

Ensuite Bath and Kitchen

For Pamela’s bath and kitchen, she opted for a beautiful stainless steel Kohler faucet. The elegance and height of the faucet really brings together the kitchen counterspace, and allows for the gorgeously crafted sink to be a focal point.

To learn more about Pamela’s premium faucets, visit The Ensuite’s website.

Pamela’s Rose Garden

One of Pamela’s favourite things about her new home is her rose garden. She loves nature and all things floral, so naturally she would have wanted a beautifully constructed rose garden to compliment her BC home.

Looking to add some flower power to your green space? Check out Dinter Nursery.

Roadhouse Cabin Fixtures

This adorably chic cabin is one of our favourite parts of Pamela’s recent renos. It has this coastal yet woodland charm that evokes peace and serenity. The kitchen fixtures in the cabin are light and minimal with soft touches that compliment the decor.

To learn more about the roadhouse cabin fixtures, visit Bradford Hardware’s website.

Pamela’s Vintage Finds

Pamela is no stranger to being sustainable with purchases, which is why we love that majority of the rooms in her B.C. property are filled with chic vintage decor. She opted for cottagecore aesthetics with her accent pillows, tables and shelving for the cabin. We adore all the detailing with her choices and vintage finds usually don’t come in two’s!

To learn more about where Pamela sourced her vintage decor, visit Bella Vintage Home & Decor on Facebook.

Custom Counters

Pamela’s boudoir-style parlour room is the perfect hang out to unwind and chit-chat with the girls. Alongside the gorgeous decor and stunning wallpaper, is the custom wood countertop with a deep brown colouring. This countertop brings a ton of warmth into the space and adds to the vintage flare.

To learn more about the custom counters, visit Landon Antiques.

As you may have guessed by the title, I’m planning my champagne birthday this year. I’m turning *scoffs* years old, and like any good socialite, it’s important I make it one to remember. You may ask, “what is a champagne birthday anyway?”. Simply put, it’s the day you were born corresponding with the age you’re turning.

So, unfortunately, for everyone below the legal drinking age, you’re straight out of luck. For those who can celebrate, I’ve created a checklist of everything I’m considering when planning this event. From tablescapes to venue selection and a well-crafted guest list, these are the most important things you should consider when planning your champagne birthday.

Pick a Theme

This is definitely one of the most exciting parts of planning your champagne birthday. Your theme can be anything your imagination can muster up! I personally take a lot of design inspo from Pinterest and Airbnb when planning parties. For example, if you’re into a pop of colour and whimsical decor, this Wes Anderson film-inspired home is the perfect blueprint for mapping out your party. While I enjoy a splash of colour here and there, I’ve followed many design trends for 2023 to gauge my inspo.

Pro Tip: Find your favourite celeb and see what they’ve been up to with their home (like Pamela Anderson and her chic Ladysmith home reno).

Selecting Your Venue for Your Champagne Birthday

Where you plan on hosting your champagne birthday is crucial based on a few factors: space, capacity and, of course, vibe. The worst thing is to book your space and find out it doesn’t actually fit your desired party size. It’s best to plan ahead of time for this, as most event spaces tend to book out well in advance. Your options can vary between restaurant event spaces, pop-up venues, condo party rooms and the most affordable option, your home.

Personally, I don’t love cleaning up after a party, so an event space is the best option for me. Regarding accessibility, I’m leaning towards my condo’s party room since it generally fits a larger amount of people for an affordable cost.

Ask for Help

Planning an event like this can be stressful. That’s why I always recommend asking for help from your close friends and family. Having someone to lean on makes the experience all the more exciting. The added benefit is gut-checking things that might not make sense concerning decor, budgeting or the guest list.

Meal Planning for Your Champagne Birthday

Depending on the vibe of your party, you may want to menu plan in advance. For the most part, champagne birthdays consist mostly of, you guessed it, champagne. There are instances, however, where food can (and should) be served. If you’re hosting at a restaurant, you’ll have the privilege of choosing between a ton of menu options (at a hefty cost). On the other hand, you could always order in or make your own food. My suggestion is to order take-out and make an easy snack board. It isn’t the most glamourous in terms of presentation, but nothing a few serving platters can’t fix.

Pro Tip: I recommend purchasing a decent-sized serving platter. That way, you can display your food on something befitting your special day.

Prioritize Self-Care

Through all the running around, planning, phone calls and spending, there’s one thing I am choosing to prioritize: my self-care. What’s the point of working so hard if, in the end, you’re worn out from all the stress? I’ve taken the liberty of booking a very lavish spa day on the morning of my birthday. Don’t feel like you need to book a spa day to practice self-care. It comes in all forms! Whether that’s taking time to yourself and reading or going for a jog before the celebrations, you vibe at your own pace.

Make it Interactive

Sure, the allure of expensive champagne is enough to excite anyone, but there should be other forms of entertainment. Consider adding games to your party itinerary. Games can be a fun and interactive way to keep people engaged. I personally love to play card games to keep things casual. However, any game is applicable when you’re the one hosting.

Be Sustainable

I know how tempting it can be to pick the cheapest and most affordable options for birthday decor, but if you can, try and be sustainable. There are so many single-use plastics littering landfills that aren’t biodegradable. Opt for actual glass versus plastic if you want to buy champagne glasses. The same rule applies to plates, tablescapes and cutlery: try to avoid plastic. The added benefit is that you will have all this great entertainment partyware the next time you host a big event.

Pro Tip: Luckily, Amazon has a ton of affordable glassware options like this six-piece set champagne flute set. You can even find some great items for less on Facebook Marketplace!

Make it a Destination

This might not apply to everyone, but if you’re willing to go the extra mile on this special day, plan a trip abroad. How chic would it be to host your birthday bash in Bali or the South of France? Your champagne birthday only comes once in life, so why not live it up? Alternatively, if you’re strapped for cash, curate your birthday theme to fit your dream destination!

Feature image courtesy of INSERT. Images courtesy of Pexels, Sabrina Stavenjord, Getty Images. 

Atlantic Canada is a place of rugged beauty, kind-hearted people and an undeniable strength of spirit. As a result, the furniture, artistry and crafts that emerge from the region tend to reflect all these admirable qualities and more. From Fredericton to Charlottetown, the Maritimes have much to offer in the way of art, home decor items and unique gifts. Here are just 10 gems to explore in Canada’s East Coast:

The Dunes Studio Gallery and Cafe

Located on a lush piece of land in Brackley Beach, Prince Edward Island, The Dunes Studio Gallery and Café is a must-visit destination for art lovers and home decor junkies everywhere. Featuring art, crafts, jewellery, gifts and furniture from over 50 artisans, the gallery is a one-stop-shop for anyone hoping to cultivate a more eclectic, worldly home aesthetic.

Independent Mercantile

Independent Mercantile Co. is a charming shopping destination located in the North End of Halifax. Full of thoughtfully-curated gifts, barware, eco-friendly items, cards and home decor items, the shop is a true labour of love dedicated to bringing inspiration to the Halifax community. 

Cottage Industry

As a locally-owned home decor boutique full of one-of-a-kind items, Cottage Industry is one of Prince Edward Island’s top destinations for home goods, furniture and gifts. The shop has been a mainstay on the island since 2010, offering interior design inspiration with a contemporary yet coastal vibe.

Thornbloom

Thornbloom has been helping the Halifax community achieve affordable luxury for nearly three decades. The shop’s owners, Elaine Shortt and Debbie Morgan, believe in high-quality, timeless, yet accessible pieces, all infused with a laidback, East Coast feel.

Reimagine Designs

Founded in 2015 by Mallory Lennon, Reimagine Designs is a Fredericton-based home decor destination specializing in modern furniture, home goods and lifestyle items. Also offering interior design services, Reimagine Designs sources its products from local Canadian suppliers and believes in prioritizing “function, aesthetics, and emotion”—first and foremost.

Related: We’re Crushing on The Coastal Charm of The Ivy House Inn, in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Tuck Studio

Entrepreneur and interiors expert Judith Mackin first started Tuck as a small studio space out of her home in 2012. Since then, the shop has grown into a full-blown design community in Saint John, New Brunswick, helping to create beautifully inspired and holistically designed spaces for homes and businesses.

Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia

After falling in love with the inspired artistry they found while travelling throughout the Maritimes in the 1970s, Mike and Jennifer Veres moved to Nova Scotia and later opened Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia in 1978. Today, the shop still thrives and supports over 200 local artisans from Atlantic Canada.

Tosh Co. Home Store

Having launched recently in January 2022, Tosh Co. Home Store is literally a dream come true for owner and interior designer Toshia Noye. With the mission of offering timeless, beautiful and intentional pieces that will elevate any space, the shop is a must-visit gem in Charlottetown, PEI.

Related: 10 Incredibly Cheap Homes for Sale in the East Coast

Wicker Emporium

Intending to create a shopping experience that feels like a treasure hunt, Wicker Emporium in Charlottetown, PEI is a mecca for lovers of coastal, eclectic and one-of-a-kind design. Shop their selection of wooden and rattan furniture, nautical art and outdoor decor to create a uniquely Atlantic Canadian space.

Attica Furnishings

Offering a unique selection of handmade home goods, Attica Furnishings has been called the best furniture and home decor store in Halifax. Named after one of the cultural centres of Greece’s Early Iron Age, Attica offers everything from sofas to rugs and everything in between—all with a modern, clean-lined approach.

Feature image courtesy of Cottage Industry. Additional image courtesy of Getty Images. 

So often in the land of design, we hesitate to add colour and pattern to our walls with wallpaper because it is so permanent, pricey and hard to install. I get it! I have installed lots of wallpaper in my life and I understand that it takes patience and some finessing. So how can you achieve this fun colourful look while avoiding the complicated wallpaper installation part? Why not paint a pattern on your walls instead? I did! It took me less than half an hour and the results are that of dreams. I cannot tell you how easy and fast this is. If you love the look, follow me, friend, I am going to show you the ways!

Materials Required: 

• Paint
• Small angled brushes
• A stepladder
• Sample paint pots

Step One: Choose and Clear Your Space

Find the space that you want to paint and clear the area so that it is easy to move around. I always like to start every project with a fresh coat of white paint. That way I have given myself a blank canvas to work from and the walls are all fresh from the bottom to the top. This is also a good idea because this is a wall treatment and you want this space to be done entirely and completely.

Step Two: Pick Your Colours and Buy Your Paint

Find the colours that you want to highlight in the room and head to the paint store!  I chose to use clay paint because I love the luxurious look and feel of it. I painted my walls white and used a variety of my favourite colours to add the rainbow confetti look to the walls.

Step Three: Paint the Wall

Grab your sample paint pots and your small angled paint brushes and let’s get painting! I promise that you do not have to have any special hand or special skill to do this! All you are doing is painting small lines along the top of your wall in one colour and then following that line in a different colour on each line all the way down.

This small front room took me less than 30 minutes to complete! All I did was keep a nice pace while doing it and not overthink each stroke. The loose and easy look of this pattern is what makes it feel special! You can choose to do the whole space in the same colour or you can mix and match. You can rotate colours on each line or you can line it all up per colour like me. There are endless possibilities to how this can be done.

The best way to tackle a project like this for most people is to try it in a small room. That way you are not covering lots of space and feeling overwhelmed. Also, smaller rooms look baller in maxed-out patterns. The beauty of this project is that it does not call to be perfect. Upon second look I had some line that had dripped-but it looks cool and hand-painted that way. This project is fun and empowering and really entertains the inner child that may never have gotten a chance to paint on the walls. Go for it!

Images courtesy of Tiffany Pratt. 

A common problem in North American homes is how best to use your basement. We are lucky enough to have basements in the majority of our homes, but older homes often have more smaller basement spaces. This is often the case when it comes to ceiling height. Ceiling height plays a huge role in the perception of space, more often than not we speak of square footage to explain the size of the space, but ceiling height is just as important. Basements often have low ceilings and this can be an issue when designing spaces below ground level. Here are a few design tips that might help you change the perception and make the space feel larger.

Before we begin, I would like to take this opportunity to make a quick point. Trying to ignore the low ceiling and pretending like it isn’t there is not a good idea. More often than not in design, trying to cover something up by ignoring it make it stand out even further. If it can’t be altered or redesigned, I always suggest that accepting, and embracing, the non-perfect design aspect of a space is the best way to go.  

Wallpaper

My first piece of advice won’t surprise anyone, but using wallpaper is an easy way to make the ceiling a focal point and giving the perception of it being higher than it is. This seems counter-intuitive, but drawing attention to the ceiling can often be a good way to disguise it’s height and make it an important design concept of the space.

Paint

This can be done with paint colours too. Painting both ceiling and walls the same colour can help embrace the confined space and help to make it feel cozy. Creating space where it isn’t isn’t always a possibility, so embracing its size can add to a room’s personality and therefore its overall design aesthetic. Another tip using paint is to paint the walls a dark colour and painting the ceiling a bright white.

Art

Using big pieces of art on the walls can also give the impression of high ceilings. This can also be done with tall and thin bookshelves. The idea is draw the eye up and therefore giving the illusion of height. So a tall piece of art requires the eye to raise up and look at it.

Low Furniture

Another way of creating a taller room is to use lower seating and furnishings. The last thing you want is bulky sofas and chairs that have a high back as this will make the wall space between the furniture and ceiling that much less. By using low-backed seating you will create the illusion of a normal ceiling height.

Drapes and Blinds

Lastly, using ceiling to floor drapes or blinds can again give the perception of higher ceilings. Just like all the other design tips above, the idea is to embrace the height of your ceiling and to not be scared to make visitors look up at it. Looking upwards at something gives the perception of height and will hopefully make your space seem less confining.