In this edition of Ask A Designer™, Gillian Atkins, senior designer at Lynda Reeves Design Studio (LRDS), shares advice for updating a living room layout.

Q: Please help! We recently bought a beautiful house, built in 2003, that’s showing its age. We painted the walls in Benjamin Moore’s Simply White, used a limestone for the fireplace and had the floors sanded. My husband insisted on having the TV on the large wall so, sadly, it must stay. How do we finish or tie these three walls together? The wall to the right of the fireplace has a niche that’s not very deep. We plan on getting new furniture — suggestions would be appreciated! It needs to be comfy for watching TV. — P.R., Kelowna, B.C.

A: The work you’ve done so far is great; you just need a good furniture plan. Start with a new large corner sectional and set it opposite the TV and fireplace. Place a console behind it so you aren’t just staring at the back of the sectional from the kitchen. Put a media cabinet below the TV and lower the TV by a foot or so. (Tell your husband to get a bigger TV!)

Buy a large square rug — these are hard to find. Try a custom-cut broadloom or woven one. Add a square coffee table in front of the sectional and a tall plant in the far corner. Place one of your black leather lounge chairs with an ottoman near the nook to the right of the fireplace, with a small cocktail table to the side and your existing floor lamp behind. You might want to consider adding some table lamps since there isn’t overhead lighting.

The recessed wall is perfect for art! Try a dramatic vertical abstract painting in a blond frame: it will help add visual weight to that side of the room.

The post Ask A Designer™: Tips For Improving A Living Room Layout appeared first on House & Home.

I think I’d struggle to leave. Then again, perhaps there’s room for a home office so I could stay and work from here year-round?

Is this your kind of summer oasis too?

Speaking of which, my daughter is standing beside me with a towel slung over her shoulder, patiently waiting for us to head down for a dip in the sea. I’d better not keep her waiting!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, and thank you so much for stopping by. See you early next week!

Niki

Photography via Historiska Hem, with thanks.

Canada’s East Coast is known for its wealth of natural beauty.

Stunning shorelines, rugged coasts and sweeping views of the mountains make it a desirable place for vacation homes. Taking cues from the breathtaking landscape, East Coast style is equally as charming. Browse through some of the best East Coast homes from the H&H archives that perfectly balance serene palettes, natural materials and personal touches that evoke a sense of coziness and relaxation. Scroll down!

Kelvin Browne’s 1901 House in Chester, Nova Scotia

H&H East Coast Editor Kelvin Browne loves the ocean, sailing and life on the East Coast, so settling down with his husband in Chester, Nova Scotia, was a natural fit. His 1901 house is 3,500 square feet and contains five bedrooms but it’s the purple door that sets it apart.

“We’d been looking for a new Canadian retirement haven after selling our property in Cape Cod, Mass., the year before. Our first attempt was a brief but unconsummated dalliance with Prince Edward County, Ont. After this, Chester became the aspiration, as we realized we missed the ocean and we’d also recently acquired a sailboat — Chester’s Mahone Bay is one of the best places to sail in Canada,” says Kelvin.

Sappho Griffin’s Ranchhouse In Bedford, N.S.

Designer Sappho Griffin was attracted to the original details of her raised ranch house in Bedford, N.S., which was built in the 1940s. “I’m attracted to colour, but I kept reminding myself that this house is soft and quiet, like an English cottage,” notes Sappho. The 4,000-sqaure-foot home is filled with Canadiana furniture she’s been collecting for the past 20 years.

A New England-style house in St. Margaret’s Bay, Nova Scotia

“If you’re going to do it — do it!” says Sappho Griffin, owner and principal designer of Henhouse Interiors in Halifax. Her fearless decorating approach is on display in this newly built home with New England–style located in a bucolic community on the eastern shore of St. Margaret’s Bay, N.S., about a 20-minute drive south of Halifax. Rachel Shano and Christian Hall, who have three kids, six dogs and two cats, moved in to the 3,156-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-bathroom house in February 2023. 

A Late-Victorian Farmhouse In Prince Edward Island

After several trips to Canada’s East Coast in search of a summer residence, Maine-born NYC designer Kyle Timothy Blood found the one.  “I always say that Hazeldean found us, we didn’t find Hazeldean,” he says of the picturesque Prince Edward Island farmhouse he now calls home. Located in the center of the province, the 2,400-square-foot, four-bedroom Arts and Crafts–style house was designed by renowned Maritime architect William Critchlow Harris in 1894.

A Circa-1890s House In East LaHave

Halifax designers Colin Blanchard and Kenneth McRobbie of 31 Westgate spotted an Italianate house for sale on the shore of East LaHave, Nova Scotia. Their dream was “to find a historical home on the water where we could welcome clients, friends and family all summer in a relaxed environment,” says Colin. They bought the derelict three-bedroom, 2,600-square-foot structure — cobwebs, cracked plaster, leaky ceiling, toxic wallpaper and all. Aided by their trusted team of craftspeople, they rolled up their sleeves and went to work. The end result is a nostalgic getaway perfect for summer.

A Cape Cod–style Home In Bedford, N.S

Built on a raised setback overlooking the water, this 3,200-square-foot house in Nova Scotia has history. It was built 85 years ago by Nova Scotia’s first “starchitect,” Andrew Cobb, who designed hundreds of homes and public buildings across Atlantic Canada. Andrew designed the house and gardens in 1937 with an eye to entertaining. The home’s “Cotswolds vibe” reminded homeowners and designers Colin Blanchard and the late Kenneth McRobbie of 31 Westgate of the English country house tours they signed up for on vacations abroad.

A Tranquil Seaside Summer Home On P.E.I.

Kevin and Bernadette spend most of their summers at their 3,100-square-foot home by the sea. Bernadette, a retired medical professional, and Kevin, who runs a global analytics group, built their waterfront retreat in 2012 after falling in love with P.E.I. on family trips with their three now-grown children. “We wanted something that we owned and enjoyed but that didn’t own us,” says Kevin. To that end, they kept things simple with a clean, coastal vibe finished with a crisp blue and white palette coupled with modern furnishings.

A Food Blogger’s Historic Halifax Home

Food writer and blogger Lindsay Cameron Wilson in her historic home’s kitchen. “Our home dates back to the early 1850s. It survived the Halifax Explosion of 1917 and housed many families and tenants after the Second World War — I didn’t want to be the one to ruin it.” The kitchen was in a tiny room tacked on to the back of the house and Lindsay’s husband James kept walking through the big dining room that was often empty, wondering out loud why they didn’t just move the kitchen into this room.

A Cape Cod-style House In Chester, N.S.

Chester holds a special place in seasoned designer and stylist Deb Nelson’s heart. “It’s an incredibly charming seaside village filled with classic historical homes and beautiful ocean views. I’ve been coming here since I was a teenager, and I always wanted to have a place in the area.” The picturesque village has been home to not one but three of Deb’s dwellings — all within a few blocks of one another, and all gracing the pages of H&H. She sold her former house to buy two places: one in Halifax (where she often needs to be for work) and this one in Chester. “It’s smaller and has a quiet location in the village, which made it appealing to me,” she says. The modest three-bedroom, one-bathroom, which she shares part-time with her partner, Ken, puts her style on full display.

A Designer’s Eco-Friendly Home In Taymouth

At her quaint home in Taymouth, New Brunswick, Maritimer Kelly Anderson grows herbs and perennials in a greenhouse built from lumber and windows salvaged from demolished buildings. As the designer and owner of Refreshed Designs, Kelly coaches clients on how to live beautifully while reducing their eco-footprint.

A Family’s Log Cabin In Maces Bay

This Maritime log cabin outside of Saint John, New Brunswick, has been in designer Fenwick Bonnell’s family since the 1950s. It was carefully renovated to maintain the charm that has made this spot a treasured family hub. Fenwick made concept drawings for the cottage’s new addition, which was designed by architecture firm Fellows & Company. The updated exterior is shingled in white cedar shakes and black corrugated steel to blend into the landscape.

The post The Best of the East Coast: Charming Homes From Maritime Canada appeared first on House & Home.

This enduring hue brings a timeless, versatile quality to every space.

From soft sage and earthy olive to rich forest and deep emerald, green continues to inspire interiors. Designers are embracing it as a neutral in kitchens, a bold statement in living and dining rooms and a striking choice for stone or tile. Take a look at the rooms that will make you want to go green.

Designer Monica Fried went all in on colour in this Connecticut home, and she didn’t hold back on green. “I wanted to live with colors that bring me joy,” says the homeowner. Contrary to the usual push-pull between color-shy client and designer, she found herself encouraging Monica to go bolder, rather than quieter, with their palette.

In this Victorian home designed by Jennifer Kominek, sea green tile on the bathroom walls is repeated on the living room fireplace, creating a striking display.

In this farmhouse living room renovation, designer Diane Ernjakovic painted the walls, baseboards and trim in a dramatic green.

Different shades of green are peppered throughout this colourful home in Ottawa, from wall panelling and millwork to decorative accents.

Green is a recurring motif throughout this home, designed by Brian McCourt for his mother. It begins on the exterior, where spruce-hued siding gives the house its charming curb appeal. Inside, mossy green painted cabinets and a pop of pattern above the backsplash are a winning combination in the kitchen.

Mellow green walls create an inviting ambience in homeowner and designer Alana Firestone’s den.

In this kitchen designed by Clarisa Llaneza, green marble, stainless steel and classic panelling define the home’s aesthetic. “The green has depth, the metal brings light and the panelling adds that touch of history,” says Clarisa.

Rousing shades of green ripple throughout layered rooms that are dressed in antique furniture and vintage light fixtures in designer Elizabeth Macfarlane’s London home.

Orsi Panos’ green vanity and wall tile nod to the greens in her living room and bedroom.

Designer Parris McKenna weaves green throughout this Toronto semi, from the kitchen millwork painted in Sherwin-Williams’ Muddled Basil to the playful green-and-cream checkered tile in the kids’ bathroom.

A scenic forest wallpaper full of swirling greens envelops this English-inspired kitchen, grounded by cabinets painted a mushroom hue. “The kitchen is a beautiful backdrop to the nature outdoors,” says designer Emily Wunder. “I love connecting the two spaces using wallpaper.”

Square wall tiles in varying shades of green bring a pop of colour to the understated bathroom in Angela Wheeler’s cottage bathroom.

For this guest retreat, designer Cynthia Ferguson painted the door frame, mullions and wainscotting in a standout grass green to frame the kitchen. The walls are finished in Benjamin Moore’s Richmond Green (553), creating a rich, layered look.

Green is a running thread that ties the spaces in this home together, down to the interior doors. Gorgeous green tile lines the pet shower in the mudroom.

The post Over Green Yet? Neither Are We appeared first on House & Home.

Creating a designated place to bridge the indoor-outdoor divide invites you to linger outside a little longer, no matter the season.

From fabulous screened-in porches to cozy covered patios, these breezy rooms offer the best of both worlds.

Sam Sacks designed a screened-in porch with a fireplace that’s shared with the neighbouring great room, making it a space that can be enjoyed all year long.

Walls of windows connect you to the ocean in this home on North Thormanby Island, B.C. From the living and dining rooms to the principal bedrooms, sliding doors can be opened for true indoor-outdoor living.

This pool house offers 1,000 square feet of living space that can function as a guesthouse or workspace. The indoor-outdoor fireplace extends the structure’s use beyond pool season.

This backyard pool has an open cabana house with a retractable screen that can buffer wind and bugs. The ultramodern space has a fireplace, TV, dining area and servery.

Full height windows provide a showstopping view of the Saskatoon skyline from this condo’s principal bathroom. Atmosphere Interior Design added a door in the shower that opens directly to the sixth-floor patio and pool.

Large windows and sliding doors connect the indoor and al fresco living spaces in this contemporary home. The homeowners can easily transition from the kitchen and dining room to the patio for entertaining depending on the season.

On this rustic barn property, a studio has garage doors that open to reveal a view of the nearby pond. This earthy, minimalist space functions as a studio and event space.

In this Vancouver penthouse, a kitchen designed with vibrant honed Maestro quartzite becomes the ultimate space for entertaining with sliding doors that connect to the terrace.

The second floor of this “Vancouver Special” has large sliding doors to connect the living space with an outdoor deck.

Designer Sarah Richardson and her family enjoy dinner with a lakeside view on their screened porch in Georgian Bay. “We took out the wall that separated the screened porch from the kitchen,” says Sarah, who also upgraded the porch with a fresh coat of paint on the walls and floor.

Creating a lounge area in a boathouse is a great way to take in the outdoors, while being sheltered from the rain or blazing sun. This one designed by Lisa Worth has an appropriately nautical vibe with rope-detail sofas.

This screened-in porch leads right to the dock of Cory DeFrancisco’s Muskoka cottage. Custom louvred shutters, made by Muskoka Living, keep the southwest-facing porch cool.

In this Bowen Island cabin, a giant 4 x 7 ft. cafe-style window swings open to the outside, offering a place for the homeowners to cook with a view. Outside, a 28″ counter outside feels like a resort bar. “It creates a seamless indoor-outdoor moment for easy outdoor entertaining,” says designer Jocelyn Ross.

Most summer afternoons, you’ll find homeowner David Morris in the Muskoka room of his cottage on the Joseph River, sunk into the L-shaped sectional listening to the water lap against the dock. The retractable screen allows him to enjoy the fresh air while warding off pests.

Floor-to-ceiling glass doors flood this great room — by Canadian designer Cory DeFrancisco — with natural light. The designer brought the outdoors in for a style that’s refined yet casual.

Every vantage point is special in landscape designer George Coito’s magnificent Oakville house, which perfectly blends indoor and outdoor living. “That connection is part of our design ethos,” says architect and interior designer Vanessa Fong. “It’s about human health and wellness, and how a building can make you feel both physically and psychologically connected to the landscape.”

At this lakehouse, an entire wall can be opened up to combine the dining room with the screened-in porch. Glass panels appear almost invisible, giving you an unobstructed view of Lake Huron.

This lakeside living room gives cottagers a break from the sunshine without having to head indoors. The L-shaped couch and surrounding lounge chairs can accommodate a crowd.

Here, a wood-panelled ceiling extends beyond the living room and onto a porch. When the glass doors are open, the two spaces become one, creating indoor-outdoor flow.

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